noon
Towards morning , a slight alarm was created by some of the melted snow finding its way down upon the sleepers through the sail that served for the roofing of their tent ; but this was soon remedied by lashing over it the old tarpaulin from off the cabin skylight , which , it may be recollected , was only thought of at the last moment , although such a useful article . The leak in the roof stopped , all turned to sleep again with the greater zest , enjoying such a night 's rest as they had not had for the last week at sea -- not a soul indeed waking up till long after daybreak , all were so dead tired out with the fatigue and anxiety they had undergone . SLept till long after daybreak , did they ? Why , it was getting on for noon when Mr McCarthy roused the crew from their unusually long caulk amongst the blankets in the corner of the tent reserved for them with his cheery call of `` All hands ahoy ! Tumble up there ! tumble up ! '' coupled with the information that the sun was `` scorching their eyes out '' -- which latter observation , it may be casually remarked , was a slight stretch of his imagination , considering the feeble power of the solar orb at that time of the year on the snow - covered wastes of Kerguelen Land !