about a quarter past ten
The greater part of that day he spent collecting fodder for Wallaroo , and leading the horse about to those spots where the grass was most luxuriant . He was waiting with absolute confidence and the greatest composure . The vicissitudes of his life had taught him patience . At about a quarter past ten that night Ryder was sitting on the rug with his back to the rock , smoking reflectively , when a voice called almost at his elbow : ` Hist ! Yarra bin come , boss ! ' ` Good boy ! ' Ryder replaced his revolver on a convenient ledge , and as Yarra appeared before him , grinning in-the moonlight , he added a few words of thanks and of praise in the native tongue .