about three o'clock
As time went on and the flag was not unfurled , they took hope ; eyes brightened , the hushed tones increased to a cheerful , excited clatter , the tenseness that had held them rigid for so long gave way before the growing conviction that another flag already fluttered somewhere beyond the screening hills . And then , when hope was highest , the Stars and Stripes went up ! Captain Trigger assembled the ship 's company on the forward deck later in the day . The landing party returned about three o'clock . Acting on advance instructions , they made their report in private to the Captain , denying all information to the clamorous passengers . A brief conference of officers , to which a number of men from the first cabin were invited , was held immediately after Percival 's return . A course of action was discussed and agreed upon , and then all on board were summoned to the open deck to hear the result of the expedition .