about four o'clock in the afternoon
I promise you that when they have passed , and I have seen all that I can of them , I will come down and sleep too . '' I attempted to dissuade her from this resolution ; but she was in an obstinate mood , and would not be dissuaded ; recognising which , at length , I gave in ; for it was true that I needed rest . Accordingly , flinging myself down in the long grass , I fell , almost instantly , into a deep sleep . It must have been about four o'clock in the afternoon , judging from the position of the sun , when I awoke to find Ama crouching over the fire , busily preparing another meal which -- even as I rose and stretched myself luxuriously , feeling immeasurably refreshed and invigorated by my long sleep -- she pronounced ready . As we sat down to partake , of it together , Ama informed me that one of her father 's largest canoes , manned by forty paddlers , and commanded by a chief whom she had recognised , had passed slowly down the river about an hour after I had composed myself to rest , the chief in charge intently scrutinising both banks , as they went , evidently in search of some indication of our presence , and had finally passed out of sight to the southward ; after which Ama had descended and taken a few hours ' rest . She further stated that , upon awaking , she had again gone aloft to take another long and careful look round , but had seen nothing more of our pursuers , and was therefore inclined to believe that we were now reasonably safe , provided , of course , that we did all our travelling at night , kept a sharp look-out , and were careful not to allow ourselves to be fallen in with by other users of the river . The supply of food which Ama had provided for our afternoon meal was so bountiful that , when we had finished , enough remained to furnish us with a good substantial meal about the middle of the night .