ten o'clock before
The night also was very fine , and as Desmond had a compass in the boat and had taken the bearings of the harbour , he was able to steer for it . The doctor had not forgotten them . In a short time , catching sight of a fire blazing up brightly , which they knew must be burning close to the beach , they continued their course . It was , however , past ten o'clock before they reached the shore , where they found the doctor and his companions ready to receive them . `` You have not been idle , I see ; nor have I , '' he exclaimed . `` I have made good progress with my still , and I hope to get it into working order early to-morrow . '' Tom hoped that the doctor would not be disappointed in his expectations , for on examining the water he found that they had sufficient , at the rate at which it was consumed , to last only two or three days more .