about 1 A.M.
We had run on the rock at half-tide , and the increasing slant of the deck as the tide fell brought home to us the pleasing probability that at low water -- viz. about 2 A.M. -- we should roll off the rock and go to the bottom . Had Bernard Shute wished to show himself in the most advantageous light to Miss Sally he could scarcely have bettered the situation . I looked on in helpless respect while he whom I had known as the scourge of the hunting field , the terror of the shooting party , rose to the top of a difficult position and kept there , and my respect was , if possible , increased by the presence of mind with which he availed himself of all critical moments to place a protecting arm round Miss Knox . By about 1 A.M. the two gaffs with which Bernard had contrived to shore up the slowly heeling yacht began to show signs of yielding , and , in approved shipwreck fashion , we took to the boats , the yacht 's crew in the gig remaining in attendance on what seemed likely to be the last moments of the _ Eileen Oge _ , while we , in the dinghy , sought for the harbour . Owing to the tilt of the yacht 's deck , and the roughness of the broken water round her , getting into the boat was no mean feat of gymnastics . Miss Sally did it like a bird , alighting in the inevitable arms of Bernard ; Miss Shute followed very badly , but , by innate force of character , successfully ; Philippa , who was enjoying every moment of her shipwreck , came last , launching herself into the dinghy with my silver shoe-horn clutched in one hand , and in the other the tea-basket . I heard the hollow clank of its tin cups as she sprang , and appreciated the heroism with which Bernard received one of its corners in his waist .