Friday, six o’clock in the morning
Certainly if Neb had any important matter to communicate to his master he could not employ a more sure or more rapid messenger , who could pass where neither the colonists could , nor even Top himself . Cyrus Harding was not mistaken . At Jup 's neck hung a small bag , and in this bag was found a little note traced by Neb 's hand . The despair of Harding and his companions may be imagined when they read these words : -- `` Friday , six o'clock in the morning . `` Plateau invaded by convicts . `` Neb. '' They gazed at each other without uttering a word , then they re-entered the house . What were they to do ?