twelve o'clock
The boat does not start on her trip down the lake till five o'clock , and that will give her three hours and a half to spare . You may take my word for it , that time will be used in chasing us . '' `` Very likely you are right , Ernest ; we shall see . It is twelve o'clock now , and we have n't much time to consider what we shall do , '' said Bob Hale , looking very serious ; and it was evident now , if it had not been before , that he had strong objections to any steamboat enterprises . `` It 's nearly dinner time , '' added Tom ; `` and I must go and see about the provender . '' Bob Hale went below to have a talk with Vallington , and the commissary left for the kitchen , to provide our noon rations . I was left alone in the wheel-house .