eight o'clock
It was after seven o'clock . Then he watched the fading away of the sun until only the red glow of it remained in the west , and against the still thicker shadows the fires of the rivermen threw up yellow flames . On his own side , Bateese and the bateau crew were preparing their meal . It was eight o'clock when a man he had not seen before brought in his supper . He ate , scarcely sensing the taste of his food , and half an hour later the man reappeared for the dishes . It was not quite dark when he returned to his window , but the far shore was only an indistinct blur of gloom . The fires were brighter .