about ten o'clock
Get the shovels and other gear , and let us start as quickly as possible . It will take us a good three hours to get back to the house . '' By sunset they started , walking in single file along the narrow , dangerous mountain-path , a false step on which meant a fall of hundreds of feet . Half-way down , the storm overtook them , but guided by the surefooted natives they pressed steadily on , gained the level ground , and at last reached the house about ten o'clock . `` Now that we have come so far we might as well go on board and give my wife a surprise , '' said Corwell to Mallet . `` Look , the rain is taking off . '' `` Not for long , sir .