nearly eight o'clock
And that this was actually the case soon became evident from the fact that the French casement of the room that had been mine suddenly flew open , and a man , whom I presently identified as Juan , came staggering and stumbling down the path at a run , alternately yelling curses at us , the missing ones , and shouting to some person or persons unknown to come up to the house forthwith `` as the birds had flown ! '' Whereupon I swung quickly upon my heel , and , plunging into the wood , hastened after my companions , whom I overtook just as they were about to enter the cave . Arrived at our destination we lighted a candle for a few minutes to enable us to make such hasty preparations as were absolutely necessary , and then , stretching ourselves out upon the soft , sandy floor , composed ourselves to finish the slumbers that had been so rudely interrupted . It seemed that I had scarcely closed my eyes ere I was aroused by Mammy , who informed me that it was broad daylight , and that breakfast was quite ready , whereupon , starting to my feet and shaking the fine sand from my clothing , I looked at my watch and was amazed to discover that it was nearly eight o'clock . I accordingly hurried away to the spot at which the spring gushed out of the rock , hastily performed my ablutions , and returned to where the others awaited me before falling-to upon a most appetising meal which Mammy had prepared from the various viands with which we had so luckily stocked the place . Everything was cold , of course , for now that our flight was known it would never have done to risk lighting a fire for the mere pleasure of having hot chocolate for breakfast , lest some errant wreath of smoke should betray the locality of our hiding place , and lead to a search that might possibly result in our capture . But , cold though the meal was , it was none the less welcome ; and when we had finished I rose to my feet with the announcement that I intended to go forth upon a reconnoitring expedition .