seven
o'clock
A man approached him once and spoke to him , but a shake of the head was the only reply he received . Thus passed the night . At sunrise it was possible to distinguish objects at the distance of two miles ; but towards the south , in which direction the party had gone , there was no sign . It was then seven o'clock . The captain , who was now seriously alarmed , did not know what to do . Should he send a second detachment after the first , and sacrifice more men on the slender chance of saving those who had already gone ? But he did not hesitate long , and was on the point of ordering a reconnaissance to be made , when the sound of firing was heard .