eight o'clock
The camp was smitten with awe at this sudden withdrawal . Sudden death was the rule on the Projects , yet it always left the camp breathless with surprise . The little community of twelve hundred souls , so isolated , so close to the primeval despite its electric lights , suddenly felt utterly alone and helpless . Close after eight o'clock Jim dashed out of his house as if a voice had called him . He dropped down the steep trail to the canyon , crossed the canyon and took the steep trail up the Elephant 's side . It was a sharp lift but Jim 's long legs took it easily . When he reached the Elephant 's top he crossed the broad back to a heap of bowlders and threw himself down in their shelter .