midday
Not knowing how much start he would have , the cook , despite his hunger and fatigue , pushed on with all the speed of which he was capable . After an hour 's journey he ventured to ask the direction of an embryo ploughman , and wheedled out of him a small , a very small , portion of his breakfast . From the top of the next hill he caught a glimpse of the sea , and taking care to keep this friend of his youth in sight , felt his way along by it to Brittlesea . At midday he begged some broken victuals from a gamekeeper 's cottage , and with renewed vigor resumed his journey , and at ten o'clock that night staggered on to Brittlesea quay and made his way cautiously to the ship . There was nobody on deck , but a light burned in the foc ' sle , and after a careful peep below he descended . Henry , who was playing , a losing game of draughts with Sam , looked up with a start , and overturned the board . `` Lord love us , cookie ! ''