four o'clock in the afternoon
The glass is rising steadily , and in a few hours we 'll feel a bit more comfy . '' He prophesied truly , for the violence of the gale decreased rapidly , and when at the end of an hour the pumps sucked , the crew gave a cheer , and tired out as they were , eagerly sprang aloft to repair damages and then spread more sail , Sarah and Susan de Boos hauling and pulling at the running gear from the deck below . They were both girls of splendid physique , and , in a way , sailors , and had Robertson allowed them to do so , would have gone aloft and handled the canvas with the men . By four o'clock in the afternoon the little barque , with her wave-swept , bulwarkless decks , now drying under a bright sun , was running before a warm , good-hearted breeze , and the pumps were only attended to twice in every watch . Mrs. Lacy , Miss Weidermann , the De Boos girls , and the French priest were seated on the poop deck , on rugs and blankets spread out for them by Otway and the steward . Lacy , with Captain Burr , was pacing to and fro smoking his pipe , and laughing heartily at Sukie de Boos 's attempts to make his wife smoke a cigarette . Presently old Bruce came along with the second mate and some men to set a new gaff-topsail , and the ladies rose to go below , so as to be out of the way .