about eight o'clock
`` But I have taken a fancy to those boys , and I 'll stick by you to the end . '' Slowly the darkness of night settled over the waters of the lake , and with the going down of the sun the stars came forth , one after another . During the last few hours several sail had been seen at a distance , but none had come close enough to be hailed . `` We are going to lose her in the darkness , after all , '' announced the lumberman , at about eight o'clock . `` It 's hard for me to see her , even now . '' Half an hour later the _ Peacock _ disappeared in the gloom , and the chase , for the time being , came to an end . `` Sam , is that you ? ''