nearly two o'clock
`` Do you want to go any closer to it ? '' questioned Gif . The boys talked the matter over , and while Andy and Randy were rather curious to get a more intimate view of the place , the others decided that they would not ride any closer on this trip . `` It 's now nearly two o'clock , '' said Spouter . `` And if we want to go any distance up the river it will take us until sundown to get back home . '' They turned back , and an hour or so later reached the point where they had parted from Jarley Bangs . Then they took a trail up the river and followed this until the sun , sinking over the western mountains , warned them that it was time for them to head for home .