four hours after noon
`` Yea , '' quoth Roger , `` then let us to horse straightway , so that we may be there if not before dark night yet at least before bright morn ; for it is yet far away . '' Ralph Cometh to the House of Abundance Therewithal they gat to horse and rode away through that stony land , wherein was no river , but for water many pools in the bottoms , with little brooks running from them . But after a while they came upon a ridge somewhat high , on the further side whereof was a wide valley well-grassed and with few trees , and no habitation of man that they might see . But a wide river ran down the midst of it ; and it was now four hours after noon . Quoth Roger : `` The day wears and we shall by no means reach harbour before dark night , even if we do our best : art thou well used to the water , lord ? '' `` Much as a mallard is , '' said Ralph . Said Roger : `` That is well , for though there is a ford some mile and a half down stream , for that same reason it is the way whereby men mostly cross the water into the wildwood ; and here again we are more like to meet foes than well-wishers ; or at the least there will be question of who we are , and whence and whither ; and we may stumble in our answers . ''