seven o'clock
_ When the idlers of the Proserpine appeared on deck the following morning , the ship was about a league to windward of Capri , having forged well over toward the north side of the bay during the night , wore round and got thus far back on the other tack . From the moment light returned lookouts had been aloft with glasses , examining every nook and corner of the bay , in order to ascertain whether any signs of the lugger were to be seen under its bold and picturesque shore . So great is the extent of this beautiful basin , so grand the natural objects which surround it , and so clear the atmosphere , that even the largest ships loom less than usual on its waters ; and it would have been a very possible thing for le Feu-Follet to anchor near some of the landings , and lie there unnoticed for a week by the fleet above , unless tidings were carried to the latter by observers on the shore . Cuffe was the last to come on deck , six bells , or seven o'clock , striking as the group on the quarter-deck first lifted their hats to him . He glanced around him , and then turned toward Griffin , who was now officer of the watch . `` I see two ships coming down the bay , Mr. Griffin , '' he said -- `` no signals yet , I suppose , sir ? '' `` Certainly not , sir , or they would have been reported .