noon
All the goods were first carried from the beach to the edge of the thick forest a hundred yards away , and over the collection was constructed a shelter to protect it from the dew . The fragments of the boat were carefully gathered up and deposited in the same place . Then a quantity of such pieces of dead branches and decaying wood as could be found near at hand was stacked close by the beach , to serve as a signal in case a vessel or the boats should heave in sight . When this had been done it was noon , and Jake set about preparing as elaborate a meal as their store of provisions would permit , saying as he summoned them to the repast : `` Now boys , I want you to fill yourselves up so 's to be ready for hard work in case anything is to be done when the others get here . Afterwards we 'll take a snooze , which is the proper thing to do at the middle of the day in a hot climate , and then there must be some exploring , for we want to find out if we are really on the island of Cuba . '' The boys ' hunger was very much greater than their grief , and without further urging they did full justice to the meal , Teddy saying as he helped himself to the third slice of preserved meat : `` It would n't be a bad idea for us to hunt a little while for something in the shape of a vegetable , or we shall soon run short of provisions . '' `` It 's the very plan I was thinking of .