about twelve o'clock
In the meanwhile the _ Bonadventure _ entered the winding channels among the reefs , and Pencroft observed every turn with extreme care . He had put Herbert at the helm , posting himself in the bows , inspecting the water , whilst he held the halliard in his hand , ready to lower the sail at a moment 's notice . Gideon Spilett with his glass eagerly scanned the shore , though without perceiving anything . However at about twelve o'clock the keel of the _ Bonadventure _ grated on the bottom . The anchor was let go , the sails furled , and the crew of the little vessel landed . And there was no reason to doubt that this was Tabor Island , since according to the most recent charts there was no island in this part of the Pacific between New Zealand and the American coast . The vessel was securely moored , so that there should be no danger of her being carried away by the receding tide ; then Pencroft and his companions , well armed , ascended the shore , so as to gain an elevation of about two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet which rose at a distance of half a mile .