nearly three o’clock
And then there began another long , long night of danger and horror . To describe all its incidents would be too wearisome , so I will simply say that about midnight we struck on a flat projecting rock in mid-stream and were as nearly as possible overturned and drowned . However , at last we got off , and went upon the uneven tenor of our way . And so the hours passed till it was nearly three o'clock . Sir Henry , Good , and Alphonse were asleep , utterly worn out ; Umslopogaas was at the bow with the pole , and I was steering , when I perceived that the rate at which we were travelling had perceptibly increased . Then , suddenly , I heard Umslopogaas make an exclamation , and next second came a sound as of parting branches , and I became aware that the canoe was being forced through hanging bushes or creepers . Another minute , and the breath of sweet open air fanned my face , and I felt that we had emerged from the tunnel and were floating upon clear water .