nearly ten o'clock
We could not look down upon one wave , until we were fairly on the back of another . Now , in a vessel of tolerable size , let the sea rage at its worst , from the ship 's decks you always look down upon it , excepting now and then , when some short-lived giant will poke up its overgrown head . But I must remember that I am in tow of the potato craft . Though she lay well up for the harbour 's mouth , she could not fetch it , so she tacked and tacked again , until nearly ten o'clock , at which time we in the dinghy were half frozen , and almost wholly drowned . The moon was now up , though partially obscured by flying rack , and in making a land board , the honest Pat , in the command of the sloop , shortened the tow-rope , and hailed us , telling us when we were well abreast of a little sandy bight , to cast off , pull in , and haul up our boat above high-water mark . We took his advice , and , without much difficulty , found ourselves once more on terra firma . I can not help , in this place , making the reflection of the singular events that the erratic life of a sailor produces .