nine o'clock
Each had a thousand questions to ask the other . They were total strangers ; but it is not , one finds , by conversation that men get to know each other . A common danger , a common pleasure , a common pursuit -- these are the touches of Nature by which men are drawn together into the kinship of mutual esteem . Once they gained the banks of the Ogowe their progress was quicker , and by nine o'clock they reached the camp at Msala . Victor Durnovo was still at work superintending the discharge of the baggage and stores from the large trading-canoes . They heard the shouting and chattering before coming in sight of the camp , and one voice raised angrily above the others . `` Is that Durnovo 's voice ? ''