Theynowbeganthedescentofthemountain.Climbingdownthecrater,theywentroundtheconeandreachedtheirencampmentofthepreviousnight.Pencroftthoughtitmustbebreakfast-time,andthewatchesofthereporterandengineerwerethereforeconsultedtofindoutthehour.

           ThatofGideonSpiletthadbeenpreservedfromthesea-water,ashehadbeenthrownatonceonthesandoutofreachofthewaves.Itwasaninstrumentofexcellentquality,aperfectpocketchronometer,whichthereporterhadnotforgottentowindupcarefullyeveryday.

           Astotheengineer’swatch,it,ofcourse,hadstoppedduringthetimewhichhehadpassedonthedowns.

           Theengineernowwounditup,andascertainingbytheheightofthesunthatitmustbeaboutnineo’clockinthemorning,heputhiswatchatthathour.

           "No,mydearSpilett,wait.YouhavekepttheRichmondtime,haveyounot?"

           "Yes,Cyrus."

           "Consequently,yourwatchissetbythemeridianofthattown,whichisalmostthatofWashington?"

           "Undoubtedly."

           "Verywell,keepitthus.Contentyourselfwithwindingitupvery,exactly,butdonottouchthehands.Thismaybeofusetous.

           "Whatwillbethegoodofthat?"thoughtthesailor.

           Theyate,andsoheartily,thatthestoreofgameandalmondswastotallyexhausted.ButPencroftwasnotatalluneasy,theywouldsupplythemselvesontheway.Top,whosesharehadbeenverymuchtohistaste,wouldknowhowtofindsomefreshgameamongthebrushwood.