noon
John enjoyed the laugh on George , but the latter retorted : `` I think the joke is on you , for traveling all this distance to see a hole in the ground . '' There was not the sign of a cave on the island , aside from the one discovered -LRB- ? -RRB- by George , so the party remained that night at the mountain top , and in the morning descended the hill , and slowly marched to the north . Before noon they entered a beautiful stretch of woodland , with luxurious grass growing all around in profusion . `` This is as far as the guards have been permitted to go , '' said one of the natives , who had volunteered the information about the place the day before . Thus far not a human being was visible . An hour 's march would bring them to the village of the criminals , and the boys began to examine their weapons , and to look apprehensive .