A few minutes after six o'clock
`` Tuck in and tuck up . Very well . '' `` Your bath shall be ready at six , sir , '' said Simmons . A few minutes after six o'clock , Smith made his ascent , his departure being witnessed by his sister and Barracombe and the whole domestic staff . He flew rapidly over Hampshire , Dorset , Devon ; crossed the Bristol Channel , and made a bee-line for Bear Haven at the entrance to Bantry Bay . Soon after eight he descried a number of dull grey specks strung like beads on the western horizon . They must be one or other of the opposing fleets , either the Reds or the Blues ; but which ?