two o'clock
They fell down black or nearly . They whitened on the cloth ; and after that came gradually to their final color , a flaming crimson . The insect thus treated appeared the most vivid of all . They soon secured about half a teacupful ; they were rolled up and put away , then they sat down and made a very hearty meal , for it was now past two o'clock . They re-entered the boat , and , passing once more into the morass , they found the channel of the bayou as it approached the northern shore less difficult of navigation . The bottom became sandy and hard , and the presence of trees in the swamp proved that spots of _ terra firma _ were more frequent . But the water shallowed , and , as they opened the shore , he saw with great vexation that the tide in receding had left the bar at the mouth of the canal visible in some parts .