about nine o'clock
He said that no living soul had ever been nearer than five miles to it , on account of the horrible and impenetrable swamps surrounding it . Hearing this , Uncle Christopher declared that , before leaving that country , he meant to go in there and see how nigh he could get to it , and Mark said he would go with him . As the breeze and tide were both in their favor , it was decided to run up to St. Mark 's that night . When , about nine o'clock , this point was reached , it was suggested that all hands should take to the boats , and tow the schooner the rest of the way up to Wakulla that same night , so as to surprise the folks in the morning . The children were wild to have this plan carried out , and finally Captain May and Uncle Christopher consented that it should be tried . All night long the schooner moved slowly up the solemn river through the dense shadows of the overhanging forests . The boats ' crews were relieved every hour , and shortly before sunrise the children , who had been forced by sleepiness to take naps in their state-rooms , were wakened by Uncle Christopher , who said , `` Come , children , hurry up on deck .