four o’clock
If they escaped the second time , however , they would be held to be equal in power , and be jointly consulted by the tribe upon occasions of importance . The prospect of being a spectator of so unusual a sight overcame my desire to be gone , and I accepted the chief 's invitation to see it out . Before mid-day I regretted it , for though the western heavens grew darker and darker , and the still air heralded the coming of the storm , yet it did not come . By four o'clock , however , it became obvious that it must burst soon -- at sunset , the old chief said , and in the company of the whole assembly I moved down to the place of combat . The kraal was built on the top of a hill , and below it the land sloped gently to the banks of a river about half a mile away . On the hither side of the bank was the piece of land that was , the natives said , `` loved of the lightning . '' Here the magicians took up their stand , while the spectators grouped themselves on the hillside about two hundred yards away -- which was , I thought , rather too near to be pleasant .