About one o'clock
asked Captain Sedley . `` Yes , sir ; I heard voices in the direction of Center Island . '' `` They are there , then , '' replied Captain Sedley , as he repaired to the boat-house . About one o'clock the fog lifted , and revealed to the astonished party the camp of the Rovers . A large fire burned near the two tents , around which the boys were gathered , for the weather was so inclement as to render Tim 's enterprise anything but romantic . The Sylph , the two club boats , and Joe Braman 's `` gondola '' lay near the shore , apparently uninjured . `` This is a mad frolic , '' said Captain Sedley ; `` but we may be thankful it is no worse . ''