seven P.M.
The passage was not long . Two days after starting , the _ Tampico _ , having made four hundred and eighty miles , came in sight of the coast of Florida . On a nearer approach Barbicane found himself in view of a low , flat country of somewhat barren aspect . After coasting along a series of creeks abounding in lobsters and oysters , the _ Tampico _ entered the bay of Espiritu Santo , where she finally anchored in a small natural harbor , formed by the _ embouchure _ of the River Hillisborough , at seven P.M. , on the 22d of October . Our four passengers disembarked at once . `` Gentlemen , '' said Barbicane , `` we have no time to lose ; tomorrow we must obtain horses , and proceed to reconnoiter the country . '' Barbicane had scarcely set his foot on shore when three thousand of the inhabitants of Tampa Town came forth to meet him , an honor due to the president who had signalized their country by his choice .