six o'clock in the morning
Neb and Pencroft also watched by turns , and did not spare fuel . They thought they saw the dark forms of some wild animals prowling round the camp among the bushes , but the night passed without incident , and the next day , the 31st of October , at five o'clock in the morning , all were on foot , ready for a start . Journey to the Coast -- Troops of Monkeys -- A new River -- The Reason the Tide was not felt -- A woody Shore -- Reptile Promontory -- Herbert envies Gideon Spilett -- Explosion of Bamboos . It was six o'clock in the morning when the settlers , after a hasty breakfast , set out to reach by the shortest way the western coast of the island . And how long would it take to do this ? Cyrus Harding had said two hours , but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with . As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass , shrubs , and creepers , they marched axe in hand , and with guns also ready , wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night .