nine o'clock
`` To help us find the way back , should we fail to reach the shore . We could have lived out a night like this in my ice-boat , but we should long since have been sleeping our last sleep beneath the snow-wreaths , had we lost our way upon the floes . '' At daybreak La Salle awoke , but turned again to his pillow , as he noted the snow-flakes form in tiny drifts against the lower window panes ; and it was nine o'clock before the tired sportsmen completed their hasty toilet , and seated themselves around the breakfast table . The snow at nine o'clock had ceased to fall , but had given place to a thick hail , which rattled merrily on roof and window pane , but soon became softer , and mingled with rain as the wind veered more to the east and south . `` We are in for a heavy thaw , '' said the elder Davies , `` and to-morrow we shall have good sport . It is hardly worth while to get wet to the skin , however , for what few birds we shall get to-day . '' `` Charley , '' said the younger Davies , `` let us go down to the bar and look up our decoys , for if we have a heavy thaw they may all be washed away and lost . ''