four
o'clock Friday afternoon
There had been talk of going through the Cape Cod Canal and so obviating the outside journey , but most of the voyagers thought that would be too tame and unexciting . Besides , a barge had managed to sink herself across the channel near the Buzzard 's Bay end a week or so before and no one seemed to know for certain whether she had yet pulled herself out and gone on about her business , and , as Steve pointed out , they 'd feel a bit foolish if they got to the canal entrance and had to turn back again . They had fair weather and light breezes all the way to New Harbour and from there , the next day , around the tip of the Cape to Provincetown . They dropped anchor off the yacht club landing at Provincetown at four o'clock Friday afternoon and went ashore as soon as the boats were berthed and sought the post-office . Provincetown had been selected as the first certain port of call and most of the thirteen boys found mail awaiting them . Only Neil , however , received tidings of importance , and his letter from his parents brought an exclamation of dismay to his lips . `` Anything wrong ? ''