six o'clock
About half-past five the first tints on the horizon showed the upper line of coast more distinctly . Flat enough in the east , it rose a little to the south . Five miles still lay between us , and it was indistinct owing to the mist on the water . At six o'clock it became suddenly daylight , with that rapidity peculiar to tropical regions , which know neither dawn nor twilight . The solar rays pierced the curtain of clouds , piled up on the eastern horizon , and the radiant orb rose rapidly . I saw land distinctly , with a few trees scattered here and there . The boat neared Manaar Island , which was rounded to the south .