six o’clock in the morning
Dr. Ferguson , still cold and impassible , talked of this , that , and the other ; but he strove in vain to overcome this infectious gloominess . He utterly failed . As some demonstration against the personal safety of the doctor and his companions was feared , all three slept that night on board the Resolute . At six o'clock in the morning they left their cabin , and landed on the island of Koumbeni . The balloon was swaying gently to and fro in the morning breeze ; the sand-bags that had held it down were now replaced by some twenty strong-armed sailors , and Captain Bennet and his officers were present to witness the solemn departure of their friends . At this moment Kennedy went right up to the doctor , grasped his hand , and said : `` Samuel , have you absolutely determined to go ? '' `` Solemnly determined , my dear Dick . ''