one o’clock
The victory was an easy one ; the five victims were very large and their tusks , though slightly rough , of the best quality . They were chiefly valuable , however , on account of the oil ; of which-being in excellent condition-they would yield a large quantity . The bodies were packed in the sledges , and proved no light weight for the dogs . It was now one o'clock , and Mrs Barnett having joined them , the party set out on foot-the sledges being full-to return to the fort . There were but ten miles to be traversed , but ten miles in a straight line is a weary journey , proving the truth of the adage `` It 's a long lane that has no turning . '' They beguiled the tediousness of the way by chatting pleasantly , and Mrs Barnett was ready to join in the conversation , or to listen with interest to the accounts the worthy soldiers gave of former adventures ; but in spite of the brave struggle against ennui they advanced but slowly , and the poor dogs found it hard work to drag the heavily-laden sledges over the rough ground . Had it been covered with frozen snow the distance would have been accomplished in a couple of hours .