About eight o'clock
I see now that the wind must have veered to the south-east , and that my plan was leading me into the fastnesses of the hills ; but I would have wandered for weeks sooner than disobey the word of the girl who sang in the rain . Presently I was on a steep hill-side , which I ascended only to drop through a tangle of screes and jumper to the mires of a great bog . When I had crossed this more by luck than good guidance , I had another scramble on the steeps where the long , tough heather clogged my footsteps . About eight o'clock I awoke to the conviction that I was hopelessly lost , and must spend the night in the wilderness . The rain still fell unceasingly through the pit-mirk , and I was as sodden and bleached as the bent I trod on . A night on the hills had no terrors for me ; but I was mortally cold and furiously hungry , and my temper grew bitter against the world . I had forgotten the girl and her song , and desired above all things on earth a dry bed and a chance of supper .