three o'clock
There 300,000 persons stood and braved a stifling temperature for several hours whilst awaiting the Frenchman 's arrival . Of that crowd of spectators one-third alone could see and hear ; a second third saw badly , and did not hear . As to the remaining third , it neither heard nor saw , though it was not the least eager to applaud . At three o'clock Michel Ardan made his appearance , accompanied by the principal members of the Gun Club . He gave his right arm to President Barbicane , and his left to J.T. Maston , more radiant than the midday sun , and nearly as ruddy . Ardan mounted the platform , from which his eyes extended over a forest of black hats . He did not seem in the least embarrassed ; he did not pose ; he was at home there , gay , familiar , and amiable .