eight o’clock
Traces of very ancient lava were noticed , which probably had overflowed the summit of the cone , before this lateral chasm had opened a new way to it . As to the volcanic chimney which established a communication between the subterranean layers and the crater , its depth could not be calculated with the eye , for it was lost in obscurity . But there was no doubt as to the complete extinction of the volcano . Before eight o'clock Harding and his companions were assembled at the summit of the crater , on a conical mound which swelled the northern edge . `` The sea , the sea everywhere ! '' they cried , as if their lips could not restrain the words which made islanders of them . The sea , indeed , formed an immense circular sheet of water all around them !