four in the afternoon
It was all monotonous , without beauty or majesty , but strange , as anything that has never been seen before or anything that is shapeless must needs be strange . `` We are getting near , '' said Simon . `` Yes , '' said the Indian , `` the tracks are coming in from all directions ; and here even are marauders returning northwards , laden with their swag . '' It was now four in the afternoon . Not a rift was visible in the ceiling of motionless clouds . Rain fell in great , heavy drops . For the first time they heard the overhead roar of an aeroplane flying above the insuperable obstacle ... .