three o'clock
The wood smoke which drifted from one of the cliff-houses hung in a blue scarf across the chasm , until the draft caught it and whirled it away . Thea was crouching in the doorway of her rock house , while Ottenburg looked after the crackling fire in the next cave . He was waiting for it to burn down to coals before he put the coffee on to boil . They had left the ranch house that morning a little after three o'clock , having packed their camp equipment the day before , and had crossed the open pasture land with their lantern while the stars were still bright . During the descent into the canyon by lantern-light , they were chilled through their coats and sweaters . The lantern crept slowly along the rock trail , where the heavy air seemed to offer resistance . The voice of the stream at the bottom of the gorge was hollow and threatening , much louder and deeper than it ever was by day -- another voice altogether .