eight o'clock
Finally they solved this difficulty by starting the engine and using one of their adjustable light bulbs , which they hung over the side of the car . Yet the cold had become so intense , although it was a dry Arctic cold , that the work went forward only by stages , the boys being forced to stop and warm their hands from time to time at the camp fire . When the new moon showed through the dark border of spruce trees and the brilliant northern stars pierced the black sky , the young aviators were ready for another trial . It was eight o'clock . This time they packed the snow for a hundred yards in front of the chassis of the car , and then , arranging their few blankets in the cockpit and refreshing themselves with some newly-made hot tea , exhausted and nervous , they climbed aboard . Putting on all their power and holding their runners steadily to the packed snow , they again started the _ Gitchie Manitou _ . While the runners were yet gliding over the evenly-packed snow drifts , there came an ominous jar on the side of the repaired ski and Norman instantly threw the planes upward .