ten o'clock
Without losing a moment we all three entered the subterranean passage , but the tide was still high , and we had to wait for the ebb . This came at length , and , clambering over the rocks , we entered the surf and waded as before . After an hour 's toil we reached Punta Hornos , and a little beyond this point I was enabled to hail one of our own pickets , and to pass the lines in safety . At ten o'clock I was in my own tent -- just twenty-four hours from the time I had left it , and , with the exception of Clayley , not one of my brother officers knew anything of our adventure . Clayley and I agreed to `` mount '' a party the next night and carry the boy to his friends . This we accordingly did , stealing out of camp after tattoo . It would be impossible to describe the rejoicing of our new acquaintances -- the gratitude lavishly expressed -- the smiles of love that thanked us .