about
four o'clock in the afternoon
We will leave De Chemerant advancing slowly toward Devil 's Cliff , and will rejoin Father Griffen at Macouba , and Colonel Rutler at the bottom of the precipice , where he had arrived by way of the subterranean passage , after the wildcats , by devouring the corpse of John , had removed the obstacle which before had held the English envoy in the cavern of the Caraibe . Monsieur De Chemerant had scarcely left Fort Royal at the head of his escort when a young mulatto of about fifteen , after having followed for some time , hiding in the ravines or the swamps , on seeing the troop take the road to Devil 's Cliff , started with all haste for Macouba . Thanks to his perfect knowledge of the country and of certain roads not open , this slave reached Father Griffen 's parish very soon . It was about four o'clock in the afternoon ; the good priest was taking his afternoon nap , comfortably extended in one of the hammocks so ingeniously made of rushes by the Caribbeans . The young mulatto had the greatest difficulty in persuading one of the priest 's two slaves to awaken his master ; finally Monsieur concluded , after long hesitation , because of the deep and peaceful sleep of the priest , to do so . `` What do you want ? '' said the priest .