about two o'clock a.m
By six bells we were dead to windward of the eastern end of El Roque , and about ten miles from it , when we edged away a couple of points , and , getting a good pull upon the weather-braces , went rolling and plunging down past the weather side of Key Grande , giving the land a wide berth however , and stationing extra lookouts -- the keenest-eyed men in the ship -- to watch for any signs of broken water . Two hours after bearing up , we were off the south-east angle of the island , when we wore ship , and , shortening sail to close-reefed topsails , jib , and spanker , dodged quietly in toward the land , under the lee of which we soon found ourselves . A couple of leadsmen were sent into the chains , and the lead kept constantly going , but we found there was plenty of water , so we stood on until we got into eight fathoms , when , being completely sheltered , we let go the anchor , and stowed our canvas . It was by this time about two o'clock a.m. . The boats had been prepared long before , and nothing now remained but to lower away , unhook , and be off . As soon as the sails were furled , Captain Annesley went below to his cabin , and immediately sent for Mr Flinn , Mr Vining , Mr Martin , and me . We trundled down one after the other , and found our chief bending anxiously over a chart which was lying spread open upon the cabin-table .