the hour of ten
`` This will be something to eat , '' he said , joyfully , and indeed the turtles formed a welcome food supply . Some fish were caught , and some clams were cast up by the tide , all of which eked out the scanty food supply that remained . The two ladies suspected the truth now and they , too , cut down their allowance . Tom , who had been sitting with the men in their sleeping shack , that evening , rose , as the hour of ten approached . It was time to send out the last message of the night , and then he would lie down on an improvised couch , with the telephone receiver clamped to his ear , to wait , in the silence of the darkness , for the message saying that help was on the way . `` Well , are you off ? '' asked Mr. Damon , kindly .