six o'clock in the morning
We now had to inaugurate a new kind of locomotion , which would have the advantage of being rapid and not fatiguing . A mast , made of two pieces of wood fastened together , to give additional strength , a yard made from another one , the sail a linen sheet from our bed . We were fortunately in no want of cordage , and the whole on trial appeared solid and seaworthy . At six o'clock in the morning , when the eager and enthusiastic Professor gave the signal to embark , the victuals , the luggage , all our instruments , our weapons , and a goodly supply of sweet water , which we had collected from springs in the rocks , were placed on the raft . Hans had , with considerable ingenuity , contrived a rudder , which enabled him to guide the floating apparatus with ease . He took the tiller , as a matter of course . The worthy man was as good a sailor as he was a guide and duck hunter .