about
seven o'clock in the evening
Meantime , while the two girls were at home and undisturbed in the quiet farm house , the mountaineering party , headed by Sigurd , were well on their way towards the great Fall of Njedegorze . They had made a toilsome ascent of the hills by the side of the Alten river -- they had climbed over craggy boulders and slippery rocks , sometimes wading knee-deep in the stream , or pausing to rest and watch the salmon leap and turn glittering somersaults in the air close above the diamond-clear water , -- and they had beguiled their fatigue with songs and laughter , and the telling of fantastic legends and stories in which Sigurd had shone at his best -- indeed , this unhappy being was in a singularly clear and rational frame of mind , disposed , too , to be agreeable even towards Errington . Lorimer , who for reasons of his own , had kept a close watch on Sigurd ever since his friend 's engagement to Thelma , was surprised and gratified at this change in his former behavior , and encouraged him in it , while Errington himself responded to the dwarf 's proffered friendship , and walked beside him , chatting cheerfully , during the most part of the excursion to the Fall . It was a long and exceedingly difficult journey -- and in some parts dangerous -- but Sigurd proved himself worthy of the commendations bestowed on him by the _ bonde _ , and guided them by the easiest and most secure paths , till at last , about seven o'clock in the evening , they heard the rush and roar of the rapids below the Fall , and with half an hour 's more exertion , came in sight of them , though not as yet of the Fall itself . Yet the rapids were grand enough to merit attention -- and the whole party stopped to gaze on the whirling wonders of water that , hissing furiously , circled round and round giddily in wheels of white foam , and then , as though enraged , leaped high over obstructing stones and branches , and rushed onward and downward to the smoother length of the river . The noise was deafening , -- they could not hear each other speak unless by shouting at the top of their voices , and even then the sounds were rendered almost indistinct by the riotous uproar . Sigurd , however , who knew all the ins and outs of the place , sprang lightly on a jutting crag , and , putting both hands to his mouth , uttered a peculiar , shrill , and far-reaching cry .