seven o'clock
He was watching the friendly stars as they tumbled out one by one . For long years they had been his steady companions on many a toilsome journey , and he read them like an open book . He saw the belted Orion swinging in its accustomed place , and the Great Bear dipping close to the horizon . It was seven o'clock , he felt sure of that , and yet that sound did not come . He advanced for some distance , halted , and again listened . It was a cold night , and his breath pouring forth in clouds smote with a hissing sound upon the frosty air . He heeded it not .