one o'clock
But narrow as its limits were , it was capacious enough to receive the entire party . It was a great satisfaction to Mrs. Weldon to observe that it was perfectly dry , and as the moon was just about her first quarter there was no likelihood of a tide rising to the foot of the cliff . At any rate , it was resolved that they might take up their quarters there for a few hours . Shortly after one o'clock the whole party were seated upon a carpet of seaweed round a repast consisting of preserved meat , biscuit , and water flavoured with a few drops of rum , of which Bat had saved a quart bottle from the wreck . Even Negoro had returned and joined the group ; probably he had not cared to venture alone along the bank of the stream into the forest . He sat listening , as it seemed indifferently , to the various plans for the future that were being discussed , and did not open his mouth either by way of remonstrance or suggestion . Dingo was not forgotten , and had his share of food duly given him outside the grotto , where he was keeping guard .