about nine in the morning
The day passed , and still he did not return . About eight o'clock at night , having become seriously alarmed at his protracted absence , we were about setting out in search of him , when he unexpectedly made his appearance , in health no worse than usual , and in rather more than ordinary spirits . The account which he gave of his expedition , and of the events which had detained him , was a singular one indeed . `` You will remember , '' said he , `` that it was about nine in the morning when I left Charlottesville . I bent my steps immediately to the mountains , and , about ten , entered a gorge which was entirely new to me . I followed the windings of this pass with much interest . The scenery which presented itself on all sides , although scarcely entitled to be called grand , had about it an indescribable and to me a delicious aspect of dreary desolation .