about nine o'clock
As he walked along he was joined by others of an equally unprepossessing appearance , and found many more already assembled at the scene of their labours -- the new harbour . The sun was not yet risen , and a mist hung over the sea , through which the signal-post at Castle Cornet , and the masts of the vessels in the roads , were the only objects visible ; but there was a faint red streak in the sky , which grew brighter and brighter every moment , till the sunrise gun fired ; and then the mist changed into a golden veil , which floated insensibly away , leaving every geranium-leaf outside the windows white with hoar-frost , just to tantalise the townsfolk more distant islands became just visible , mingling the blue of the sea and the violet of the sky so mysteriously in their delicate colouring , that they were scarcely distinguishable from either . And then the carts began to roll along the quay , and work commenced on board the ships in the harbour , and the sailors ' cry as they hoisted the sails , mingled with the rattling of chains and the creaking of the cranes outside the stores . At about nine o'clock up ran the ball at the signal-post , which announced the approach of the mail-boat , and as she steamed behind the Castle , and anchored in the roads , there were hasty embraces and shakes of the hand on the pier , and the passengers were rowed out to embark . A few minutes , and the tinkling of a bell was heard from the shore ; another -- one more ; her wheels were turning , she was off for Southampton , and the passengers from Jersey were landing at the quay . All this , and much more , might John Barker have seen , and probably he did see it , but found nothing beautiful or exciting in it . He did not hold his breath as that cutter approached and ran between the pier-heads , her sail dipping in the wave which bore her in .