four o'clock
`` I would n't do that . Let him stay as long as Merrick told him to , and in the mean time I will talk as though I knew he would repeat every word I say . '' This thing of being obliged to place a curb upon their tongues when they wanted to speak freely was annoying in the extreme ; but it might have saved them some trouble and anxiety if they had done it from the first . During the whole of their journey through the woods , which did not come to an end until long after four o'clock that afternoon , the negro guide never once spoke to the boys unless he was first spoken to , nor did they see any living ' thing except a drove of half-wild hogs , which fled precipitately at their approach . The plantation darkies , as a general thing , were talkative and full of life , and this unwonted silence on the part of their conductor finally produced an effect upon Tom Percival who , when the noon halt was called , took occasion to give the man a good looking over . He was not very well satisfied with the result of his examination . `` How much farther do you go with us , boy ? ''