About midnight
In his naked feet , so as not to scratch the covering , he succeeded by the aid of the network , and in spite of the oscillations of the balloon , in climbing to the upper extremity , and after a thousand difficulties , in holding on with one hand to that slippery surface , while he detached the outside screws that secured the pipes in their place . These were then easily taken out , and drawn away by the lower end , which was hermetically sealed by means of a strong ligature . The Victoria , relieved of this considerable weight , rose upright in the air and tugged strongly at the anchor-rope . About midnight this work ended without accident , but at the cost of most severe exertion , and the trio partook of a luncheon of pemmican and cold punch , as the doctor had no more fire to place at Joe 's disposal . Besides , the latter and Kennedy were dropping off their feet with fatigue . `` Lie down , my friends , and get some rest , '' said the doctor . `` I 'll take the first watch ; at two o'clock I 'll waken Kennedy ; at four , Kennedy will waken Joe , and at six we 'll start ; and may Heaven have us in its keeping for this last day of the trip ! ''