eight o'clock
This was a discovery of some importance to them , for it at once suggested the possibility of `` borrowing '' a canoe from the village , after dark , and proceeding in her to the city ; by which plan they would run much less risk of detection than if they attempted to reach the city with the longboat . They completed their labours and set out to walk down the hill on their way to the boat while the sun was still nearly an hour above the horizon , and were safely aboard her again ere darkness fell . Then , having partaken of a meal , Marshall and Dick stretched themselves along in the stern-sheets of the boat , in order to snatch an hour or two of sleep before embarking upon by far the most hazardous part of their enterprise , namely , their excursion to the city of Cartagena . Marshall had given instructions that he and Dick were to be called punctually at eight o'clock ; but when that hour arrived and the man who had the watch proceeded to arouse them , it appeared that the Captain was already awake , not having been to sleep at all , in fact ; and as Dick seemed to be fast locked in the arms of slumber , Marshall softly whispered to the man who was about to arouse him , that he was to be permitted to sleep on , at the same time composing himself to rest and giving fresh instructions that both were to be called at midnight . From which it was evident that in the interim he had modified his original plan . When at length midnight arrived and the pair were duly awakened Marshall remarked with a grin which the darkness effectually concealed : `` Well , lad , hast had a good sleep ? '' `` Excellent , '' answered Dick .