three o'clock
For ten minutes I remained on the car platform and watched the heights of the Persian frontier on the extreme limit of the horizon . Beyond the stretch of verdant oasis watered by a number of creeks , we crossed wide cultivated plains through which the line made frequent diversions . Having discovered that Popof did not intend to go to sleep again , I went back to my corner . At three o'clock there was another stop . The name of Askhabad was shouted along the platform . As I could not remain still I got out , leaving my companions sound asleep , and I ventured into the town . Askhabad is the headquarters of the Transcaspian , and I opportunely remembered what Boulangier , the engineer , had said about it in the course of that interesting journey he had made to Merv .