about noon
Hoping that his presence might not be required at the trial , though fully resigned to the probability of having to attend it , Hugh wrote out and signed a full statement of his experiences with the outlaws . This paper was also signed by Norton , Captain Vinton , and Lieutenant Driscoll , as testifying their belief in its veracity . The captain of the _ Petrel _ undertook to deliver it to the proper authorities , and it was eventually accepted in lieu of Hugh 's personal testimony . Having attended to these matters , the crew of the _ Arrow _ went aboard about noon . The day was perfect for the return voyage , a fair breeze blew against her weather-stained sails , and the ocean was as blue as sapphire . The entire party was glad to be on the sloop 's clean decks once more ; even Dave seemed happy and relieved when Durgan 's Cove and its outlying shores faded into a velvety green blur along the horizon . So they left the scene of their adventures , and glided swiftly away `` on the home stretch , '' as Chester called it , under cloudless skies .