five o'clock
Dotey , questioned by Standish , was fain to confess he had seen nothing , and Coppin averred that he had more than once heard similar sounds upon the coast of Newfoundland , and that they were commonly thought to be the voices of sirens or mermaids who haunted lonely shores . `` If naught more imminent than mermaids is upon us I 'll e ` en go back to sleep , '' said Winslow in good-natured derision , while Standish , lighting his slow-match , said pleasantly to Dotey , -- `` Lay thee down , man , and sleep . If thy fiend comes again I 'll give account of him . '' A few grim jests , a little laughter , and the camp was again quiet , until Standish , sure that no enemy could be at hand , resigned his watch to Howland , and he to English , until at five o'clock William Bradford aroused his comrades , reminding them that on account of the tide they must embark within the hour , and had still to breakfast . A wintry fog , piercing in its chill , had closed down upon the camp , covering everything with a half-frozen rime , dropping sullenly like rain from such things as came near the fire , and stiffening into ice in the shade . `` I fear me our pieces will hang fire after this soaking , '' remarked Carver examining his matchlock . `` It were well to try them before there is need , '' said Winslow firing his into the thicket behind the camp .