six o’clock
The settlers , uniting their efforts , managed to drag it as far as the shore , where they discovered a large rocky cavity , which owing to its position could not be visited either by the wind or rain . `` We needed a locker , and now we have one , '' said Pencroft ; `` but as we can not lock it up , it will be prudent to hide the opening . I do n't mean from two-legged thieves , but from those with four paws ! '' At six o'clock , all was stowed away , and after having given the creek the very suitable name of `` Port Balloon , '' the settlers pursued their way along Claw Cape . Pencroft and the engineer talked of the different projects which it was agreed to put into execution with the briefest possible delay . It was necessary first of all to throw a bridge over the Mercy , so as to establish an easy communication with the south of the island ; then the cart must be taken to bring back the balloon , for the canoe alone could not carry it , then they would build a decked boat , and Pencroft would rig it as a cutter , and they would be able to undertake voyages of circumnavigation round the island , etc. . In the meanwhile night came on , and it was already dark when the settlers reached Flotsam Point , where they had found the precious chest .