noon
`` But ` one thing at a time ' is a good maxim in such a business as ours , my lad ; and we will see what Cartagena yields before we begin to think seriously about any of the other towns . And now , here comes the dawn at last , for which thanks be ; for I am as hungry as if I had spent all night to the top of Dartymoor , and want my breakfast . '' An hour later the meal had been prepared and eaten ; after which Marshall and Dick , having provided themselves with food and water sufficient to last them until nightfall , if necessary , and having given the crew of the longboat most precise instructions as to how to act in the event of certain contingencies arising , cautiously emerged from their place of concealment , and , carrying the boat compass with them for the purpose of enabling them to take such bearings as might be required , set out upon their way to the top of the hill which dominated the north-east corner of the island . The going was exceedingly difficult , for the slope was rough and steep , also it was so thickly overgrown with vegetation that for a good part of the distance they had literally to cut a way for themselves ; therefore , although the distance which they had to traverse was little more than a mile it was well on toward noon when at length they reached the summit . But , when there , they were fain to admit that their labour had been well spent ; for as they topped the last rise the vegetation suddenly became much thinner , so that they found themselves able to force a way through it without being obliged to have recourse to their hangers ; and presently they emerged upon the bare hilltop , and beheld , spread out at their feet , a magnificent panorama embracing a view of the whole upper bay and inner harbour , with the town of Cartagena a bare four miles distant . And there , in the midst of a whole fleet of smaller craft , they also beheld a tall and stately ship , a single glance at which sufficed to assure them that she could be none other than the plate ship which was the great object of their quest . `` There she be ! ''