ten
o'clock
They now begged to hear the details of the adventures but , at this moment , word was brought that steam was up , and the vessel ready to start ; and as Monsieur Teclier was most anxious to get on , and as Percy was quite done up , Ralph was glad to seize the excuse , and to make his apologies for leaving at once . The Sous Prefect , all the breakfast party , and a large proportion of the population of the little place accompanied them thence to the landing place ; and then , amidst hearty cheering , the little steamer -- carrying the voyagers , the dispatches , and the remains of the balloon -- started for the mainland . Chapter 18 : A Day Of Victory . After traveling all night , the Barclays arrived at Tours at ten o'clock , on the morning of the day after that upon which they had left Belle Isle . At the station they said adieu to Monsieur Teclier ; who went at once to Gambetta , with the dispatches ; while the Barclays turned away to Colonel Tempe 's lodgings and , to their great surprise as well as delight , found him in . The colonel gave quite a shout of joy , when he saw them . `` Ah , my brave boys , my brave boys , I am glad to see you , '' and he took them in his arms , and kissed them as heartily and as earnestly as if he had been their father .