three o'clock
In a few hours , thanks to the help of the shipping in port , an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie , and protected it from the burning rays of the sun . There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman . Of this crowd of spectators a first set could both see and hear ; a second set saw badly and heard nothing at all ; and as for the third , it could neither see nor hear anything at all . At three o'clock Michel Ardan made his appearance , accompanied by the principal members of the Gun Club . He was supported on his right by President Barbicane , and on his left by J. T. Maston , more radiant than the midday sun , and nearly as ruddy . Ardan mounted a platform , from the top of which his view extended over a sea of black hats . He exhibited not the slightest embarrassment ; he was just as gay , familiar , and pleasant as if he were at home .