ten o'clock before
It seemed as if every subject had some bearing upon the matter , and so disagreeable was the constant harking back to what was beyond my control , that I really felt glad when the shadows of night began to lengthen , for almost any kind of action was better than remaining there in hiding , eating one 's heart out . Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come , until I called his attention to the fact , and then he said : `` Ay , lad , the time is drawin ' nigh ; but I reckon that we 'll be wise to hold on as we are a spell longer . '' Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep , and I held my peace , determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise . It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life , and then he rose to his feet as he said : `` I allow that we 'd better be movin ' , though there ai n't any great need of hurryin ' . We 'll be able to cover three miles in an hour , an ' even then be a bit early for good work . '' `` How will you set about findin ' Jacob ? '' I asked , giving words to the question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt .