five A.M
Let us press on as long as we have firm ground beneath our feet , and God be with us ! '' After a walk of three hours the visitors returned to Fort Confidence , where a good meal of fish and fresh venison awaited them . Sergeant Long did the honours of the table , and after a little pleasant conversation , all retired to rest to forget their fatigues in a healthy and refreshing sleep . The next day , May 31st , Mrs Barnett and Jaspar Hobson were on foot at five A.M. . The Lieutenant intended to devote this day to visiting the Indian encampment , and obtaining as much useful information as possible . He asked Thomas Black to go with him , but the astronomer preferred to remain on terra firma . He wished to make a few astronomical observations , and to determine exactly the latitude and longitude of Fort Confidence ; so that Mrs Barnett and Jaspar Hobson had to cross the lake alone , under the guidance of an old boatman named Norman , who had long been in the Company 's service .