2 o'clock in the
morning
`` I 'll give that gentleman a remembrance or two of the occasion . '' The others fell in , and with long strides started making their way along the sand left hard-packed by the receding tide , under the moonlight . Bob set a terrific pace but , fortunately , all members of the party were young men and accustomed to physical exercise , and none found it any hardship to keep up with their pacemaker . On the contrary , three at least enjoyed the expedition and found their spirits uplifted by the zest of this unexpected adventure undertaken at 2 o'clock in the morning . When they drew near the first of the two horns enclosing the little bay known as Starfish Cove , Bob pulled up , and the others came to a halt around him . `` Just ahead there , '' said Bob , pointing , and addressing Captain Folsom , `` lies our destination . I expect it would not be wise to make our way any farther along the sands . ''