four o'clock
`` I shall show them that , though France is beaten , Jean Bevoir still lives , '' he told himself boastingly . `` The trading-post on the Kinotah with its beautiful lands , shall still be mine -- the Morrises shall never possess it ! '' Sometimes he spoke to his companions of these things , but they merely smiled at him , thinking that what he had in mind to do would prove impossible of accomplishment . It was already four o'clock and the short winter day was drawing to a close . On every side of the two young hunters arose the almost trackless woods , with here and there a small opening , where the wind had swept the rocks clear of snow . Not a sound broke the stillness . `` Were we ever in this neighborhood before ? ''