about ten o'clock in the morning
Scarcely waiting to lay in my oar , I scrambled out of the cockpit , reeled along the deck , dropped over the overhanging bow on to the hot sand , and held up my arms to help the others ashore . The first to come was Mrs Vansittart , who was followed by her daughter and the two stewardesses , Julius bringing up the rear ; and when at length we were all ashore , Mrs Vansittart said , or rather whispered , for she had all but lost her voice : `` Before we do anything else , or move another step , let us all go down on our knees and return thanks to Almighty God for His great mercy in bringing us to this delectable land . '' And we did so , then and there , with tears of deep and sincere gratitude . It was by this time about ten o'clock in the morning , yet so deep and narrow was the gorge in which we found ourselves that the beach where we stood was still in shadow and the air comparatively cool . Therefore , after I had taken care to secure the boat to a great boulder of basalt that lay conveniently at hand , I suggested that all should remain where they were while I went prospecting for fruit ; and to this they agreed . Then , a thought suddenly striking me , I waded into the water , scooped up a palmful , and tasted it . It was deliciously sweet and cool ; and I turned to the rest and said : `` This water is perfectly fresh .