midday
The ferryman , however , said the water was so rough he must wait for a time before they crossed . But when Geoffrey offered him a reward to put their party on shore at once , he consented to do so , Joe Chambers and the two sailors assisting with the oars ; and as the ferry boat was large and strongly built , they crossed without further inconvenience than the wetting of their jackets . Joe Chambers , who knew the town perfectly , at once took them to a place where they were able to hire a couple of horses , and on these rode to Maldon , some nine miles away . Here they procured other horses , and it was not long after midday when they arrived at Hedingham . Mrs. Vickars held up her hands in astonishment at their shrunken garments ; but her relief from the anxiety she had felt concerning what had befallen them during the gale was so great that she was unable to scold . `` We will tell you all about it , mother , afterwards , '' Geoffrey said , as he released himself from her embrace . `` We have had a great adventure , and the Susan has been wrecked .