about five o'clock in the afternoon
`` An ' then nobuddy can tell how long it will keep up . Winter is comin ' sure ! '' `` Then the sooner we find Tom and get back to Dawson with him the better . '' It was about five o'clock in the afternoon when they reached a spot where the trail ran along the bottom of a tall cliff . Far below them was the valley they had crossed in the morning , now all but shut out from their view by the falling snow . `` Do n't either of ye slip here , '' cautioned Jack Wumble . `` Because , if ye do , thar ai n't no tellin ' whar ye 'll fetch up . ''