"The encounter lasted for 20 or 30 minutes as the ship steamed away at full speed with the small boat following."

The encounter lasted only a few moments, but it was clear which candidate would win her vote next year.

The encounter lasted several hours, and no Aborigines were captured.

The encounter lasted about 8 minutes in which 12 well trained terrorists were killed.

The encounter lasted more than two hours instead of the one hour that had been anticipated.

There seemed little reason why the encounter should last more than a few minutes.

The entire encounter had lasted less than two minutes.

The encounter lasted less than a ten-thousandth of a second.

Typically encounters lasted once or twice, but favorites were kept for longer terms.