one o'clock in the afternoon, twilight
asked Ross . Steele nodded , and got into his top-coat . `` A little way , '' he answered briefly . Although it was only one o'clock in the afternoon , twilight had fallen . The clouds rolled up the cañon so low that they hung almost within reach of the men 's hands , although not much snow was yet falling . An indescribable gloom filled the cañon , the gloom of utter isolation and loneliness . Not a breath of wind was stirring ; not a movement of a tree was audible .