noon
But we have no time for idle speculation . Let 's walk along it and see how far it extends . '' But after forcing their way along the wall for almost a quarter of a mile , at the expense of a good deal of exertion , they gave up the task . `` I believe it extends clear around the island , '' Walter declared , `` we ca n't spare any more time to follow it up ; it 's noon already . Let 's see what is inside . '' Charley offered no objection , and the two boys climbed through a gap in the wall and reached the great enclosure . At first glance , they could see but little difference between the dense growth amongst which they stood and that outside the wall , but a closer examination showed that , while the timber was very thick , it was of smaller size than that which they had left behind .