about
eight o'clock
My recollection of the old survey enables me to guess the relative position of the meanderings of the creek , and an occasional simple professional experiment to determine the distance gives my crew the fullest faith in my ability . Night overtakes us in our impeded progress . Our condition looks more dangerous than it really is , but I urge the men , many of whom are still new in this mode of navigation , to greater exertion by assurance of perfect safety and speedy relief ahead . We go on in this way until about eight o'clock , and ground by the willows . We have a muddy walk for a few hundred yards before we strike a dry trail , and simultaneously the white walls of Altascar 's appear like a snow-bank before us . Lights are moving in the courtyard ; but otherwise the old tomb-like repose characterizes the building . One of the peons recognized me as I entered the court , and Altascar met me on the corridor .