three in the afternoon
Slowly , but steadily , the lurid storm-clouds were gathering in the heavens , bringing shade after shade over the darkening wilderness . Low , hollow murmurs in the troubled air were now heard , ominously stealing along the wooded hills ; and now , in the sharp , momentary rattling of the seared beech-leaves , the whole forest seemed shivering in the dead chill that was settling over the earth . The cold , indeed , was now becoming so intense as to congeal and skim over all the pools and still eddies of the river , and make solid ice along the shores of the rapid currents of the stream ; while even the ground was fast becoming so frozen as to clumper and sound beneath the hurrying tread of our anxious travellers . By three in the afternoon , it had become so dark that they could scarcely see the white blazings on the sides of the trees , by which they were guided in their course ; and in less than another hour , they were stumbling along almost in utter darkness , uncertain of their way , and nearly despairing of reaching their destination that night . But , while they were on the point of giving up the attempt , the bright glare of an ascending blaze , shooting fiercely through the thickets before them , greeted their gladdened eyes , and put them on exertions that soon brought them rejoicing into the comfortable quarters of their almost equally gratified friends and comrades ; where it was at once decided that , instead of proceeding to their own camp , to build a fire and lodge , they should turn in for the night . After some time passed in the animated and cheery interchange of inquiries and opinions , which usually succeeds on the meeting of anxiously-sought or expected friends , Claud and Phillips , having by this time warmed and measurably rested themselves , took hold with Carvil and Mark Elwood in dressing and cooking for supper and for breakfast the next morning , Claud 's goose , and a pair of fine ducks from a flock which the two latter had encountered just before reaching camp that afternoon ; and , after completing this process with their good supply of game , and the more agreeable one of eating so much of it as served for a hearty supper , they drew up an extra quantity of fuel for the large fire which they felt it would be necessary to keep up through the night ; and then , seating themselves in camp , went into an earnest consultation on the measures and movements next to be taken . When , in view of the lateness of the season , coupled as it was with the alarming portents of an immediate storm , which they had all noticed , it was unanimously determined that they should embark , early next morning , for head-quarters on the Maguntic , where Gaut Gurley , instead of preparing to come round again , as was now nearly his usual time to do , would , under the altered aspect of things , doubtless be awaiting them , and making arrangements for the return of all to the settlement .