nearly three
o’clock in the afternoon
He advised the Lieutenant to go down the Coppermine river , from the north-east of the lake , which would take him to the coast by the shortest route . Once at the Arctic Ocean , it would be easy to skirt along its shores and to choose the best spot at Which to halt . Lieutenant Hobson thanked the Indian chief , and took leave after giving him a few presents . Then accompanied by Mrs Barnett , he explored the neighbourhood of the camp , not returning to the boat until nearly three o'clock in the afternoon . CHAPTER IX . A STORM ON THE LAKE . The old sailor was impatiently awaiting the return of the travellers ; for during the last hour the weather had changed , and the appearance of the sky was calculated to render any one accustomed to read the signs of the clouds uneasy .