four o’clock P.M.
The ground rose slightly as they advanced , and the layers of earth and sand became thicker ; this of course was explained by the former proximity of this part of the coast to the true continent . The thickness of the crust of ice and of the layer of earth at the point of junction increasing , as it probably did , every century , explained the long resistance of the isthmus , which nothing but some extraordinary convulsion could have overcome . Such a convulsion was the earthquake of the 8th January , which , although it had only affected the continent of North America , had sufficed to break the connecting-link , and to launch Victoria Island upon the wide ocean . At four o'clock P.M. , the angle was reached . Walruses ' Bay , formed by an indentation of the firm ground , had disappeared ! It had remained behind with the continent `` By my faith , madam ! '' exclaimed the Sergeant , `` it 's lucky for you we did n't call it Paulina Barnett Bay ! ''