three A.M.
Daylight
he more than once asked himself . `` No better chap anywhere than Blaine , or for that matter Stanley either . '' Circling round a wide aerial expanse while cogitating along these lines , he thought he heard the sound of far-off explosions somewhere below . His timepiece showed that the hour was near three A.M. Daylight would soon be showing . In the far west and southwest the thunderous roll of artillery was incessant , mingled with sharper minor concussion of small arms , machine guns and musketry . `` That drive must now be in full swing , '' he thought . `` Ought I to circle round there and see if I can do any good ?