eleven o'clock
The combinations that so long destroyed us have already become our panacea . '' `` I see you have these poisons at your fingers ' ends , '' said Ayrault , `` and we shall feel the utmost confidence in the remedies and directions you prescribe . '' They found that , in addition to their medicine-chest , they would have to make room for the following articles , and also many more : six shot-guns -LRB- three double-barrel 12-bores , three magazine 10-bores , -RRB- three rifles , three revolvers ; a large supply of ammunition -LRB- explosive and solid balls -RRB- , hunting-knives , fishing-tackle , compass , sextant , geometrical instruments , canned food for forty days , appliance for renewing air , clothing , rubber boots , apergetic apparatus , protection-wires , aneroid barometer , and kodaks . At last the preparations were completed , and it was arranged that the Callisto should begin its journey at eleven o'clock A. M. , December 21st -- the northern hemisphere 's shortest day . Though six months ' operations could hardly be expected to have produced much change in the inclination of the earth 's axis , the autumn held on wonderfully , and December was pronounced very mild . Fully a million people were in and about Van Cortlandt Park hours before the time announced for the start , and those near looked inquiringly at the trim little air-ship , that , having done well on the trial trip , rested on her longitudinal and transverse keels , with a battery of chemicals alongside , to make sure of a full power supply . The President and his Cabinet -- including , of course , the shining lights of the State and Navy Departments -- came from Washington .