noon
Three of the men and a boy hung on by the rigging of the bowsprit , and were brought safely on board ; but two poor fellows perished with their boat . It appeared , that they had broken their bell ; and although they saw us coming , they had no better means than shouting , and showing a light , to advertise us of their vicinity . Next morning the wind once more chopped round , and the weather cleared , and in four-and-twenty hours thereafter we were off the mouth of the Elbe , with three miles of white foaming shoals between us and the land at Cuxhaven , roaring and hissing , as if ready to swallow us up . It was low water , and , as our object was to land the emissary at Cuxhaven , we had to wait , having no pilot for the port , although we had the signal flying for one all morning , until noon , when we ran in close to the green mound which constituted the rampart of the fort at the entrance . To our great surprise , when we hoisted our colours and pennant , and fired a gun to leeward , there was no flag hoisted in answer at the flag-staff , nor was there any indication of a single living soul on shore to welcome us . Mr Splinter and the Captain were standing together at the gangway -- `` Why , sir , '' said the former , `` this silence somewhat surprises me : what say you , Cheragoux ? '' to the government emissary or messenger already mentioned , who was peering through the glass close by .