two o'clock
Just as we got the boat over the side there came a tremendous downpour of rain , and we could only make ourselves heard by shouting to each other at the top of our voices . This continued for half an hour , and through it all , the boat , with Alan and three hands , continued to tow . Suddenly the rain ceased -- for about five minutes -- only to fall again with a deafening uproar . At two o'clock it toned down to a misty drizzle , and we called to Alan to come alongside , as Hannah , two of his natives and myself would give him a spell . The rain had beaten the swell down , but the current was terribly strong , and when the mist lifted a bit we saw we were still too close to the reef . After taking a cast of the lead , and finding no bottom , Hannah and his two natives and myself tumbled into the boat . We had just about tautened the tow-line when Alan 's voice rang out .