About three o'clock in the afternoon
In order not to lose sight of the sun -LRB- which he could with difficulty discern through the treetops -RRB- , he had necessarily been obliged to lift his eyes frequently to the heavens . Now , the road was almost impenetrable , and he was also obliged to be on the watch for serpents ; thus , divided between the sky and the earth , the attention of the chevalier went somewhat astray . However , as it was impossible to believe that he could a second time be deceived in his calculations , he took fresh courage , certain of reaching the end of his journey . About three o'clock in the afternoon he commenced to suspect that Devil 's Cliff receded in proportion to his approach . Croustillac became harassed ; but the fear of passing the night in the forest spurred him on ; by means of walking forward steadily he finally reached a kind of indentation between two large rocks . The chevalier drew his breath , expanding his lungs . `` Faith ! ''