Eleven o'clock
Joe obeyed willingly , until at length , to the skipper 's great relief , one man stirred , and , sitting up on the deck , sleepily expressed his firm conviction that it was raining . For a moment they both had hopes of him , but as Joe went to the side for another bucketful , he evidently came to the conclusion that he had been dreaming , and , lying down again , resumed his nap . As he did so the first stroke of Big Ben came booming down the river . `` Eleven o'clock ! '' shouted the excited skipper . It was too true . Before Big Ben had finished , the neighbouring church clocks commenced striking with feverish haste , and hurrying feet and hoarse cries were heard proceeding from the deck of the GOOD INTENT .