seven
o’clock in the morning
Perhaps it would be decided to make in common a complete investigation of every part of Lincoln Island . However that might be , on this evening no fire was lighted on these yet unknown shores , which formed the entrance to the gulf , and the little vessel stood off during the night . When the first streaks of dawn appeared in the western horizon , the wind , which had slightly fallen , shifted two points , and enabled Pencroft to enter the narrow gulf with greater ease . Towards seven o'clock in the morning , the `` Bonadventure , '' weathering the North Mandible Cape , entered the strait and glided on to the waters , so strangely enclosed in the frame of lava . `` Well , '' said Pencroft , `` this bay would make admirable roads , in which a whole fleet could lie at their ease ! '' `` What is especially curious , '' observed Harding , `` is that the gulf has been formed by two rivers of lava , thrown out by the volcano , and accumulated by successive eruptions . The result is that the gulf is completely sheltered on all sides , and I believe that even in the stormiest weather , the sea here must be as calm as a lake . ''