Four o'clock in the afternoon
After a long talk it was resolved to get as close to the old fort as possible . Cujo said they need not hurry , for it would be best to wait until nightfall before making any demonstration against their enemies . The African was very angry to think that the other natives had deserted the party , but this anger availed them nothing . Four o'clock in the afternoon found them on the edge of the swamp and not far from the bank of the Congo . Beyond was the cliff , overgrown in every part with rank vegetation , and the ever-present vines , which hung down like so many ropes of green . `` If we want to get up the wall we wo n't want any scaling ladders , '' remarked Tom grimly . `` Oh , if only we knew that Dick and Uncle Randolph were safe ! ''