about eight
o'clock in the morning
`` The ` Blanche ' was under orders for St. Domingo , and was in no way anxious to have our company ; and before a week was over we were drafted into a small sloop of war , carrying eight guns , and called the ` Fawn , ' She was bound for England with despatches from Nelson , -- one of their English admirals they 're always talking about . This little craft could sail like the wind , but she was crowded with sick and invalided men from some foreign station , and there was not a place the size of a dog-kennel on board of her that was not occupied . As for us , we were only prisoners , and you may think they were n't very particular about our comforts ; and so they ranged us along under the bulwarks to leeward , -- for they would n't spoil her sailing trim by suffering us to sit to windward ; and there we were , drenched to the skin , and shivering from day to dark . `` Four days went over in this way , when , on the fifth , about eight o'clock in the morning , the lookout announced several strange sail in sight ; and the same instant we perceived the officers setting the glasses to observe them . We could remark that the sight did not seem to please them much ; but more we knew not , for we were not allowed to stand up nor look over the bulwarks . The lieutenant of the watch called up the commander ; and when he came on deck he ordered the men to cram on more sail , and hold her head a point or so off the wind ; and as soon as it was done , the rushing noise at the cutwater told the speed she was making through the sea . It was a fine day , with a fresh breeze and a nice curl from the water ; and it was a handsome thing to see how the sloop bent to the gale and rose again , her canvas white as snow and steady as a board ; and we soon knew , from the manner of the officers and the anxious looks they 'd give to leeward from time to time , that another vessel was in chase of the ` Fawn . '