nearly three o'clock
Our own damages are but slight , and as soon as I have put matters in train aboard the schooner I will send Simpson and a party aboard here to see to things , while I go aboard you to hear what Hamilton has to say . But we shall have to use the brigantine 's boats , I expect , to get back to our own craft . I have not left enough hands with Keene to enable him to send a boat . '' This arrangement we duly carried out ; but , owing to one delay and another , it was nearly three o'clock that afternoon when I was able to pay my promised visit to the brig , by which time Hamilton had coopered up all his most serious cases and was able to spare me a moment . `` Ah , Grenvile , '' he exclaimed , as I descended into the brig 's cabin , which , by the way , was almost as sumptuously arranged as that of the _ Francesca _ , and which the medico was then using as a surgery . `` I am glad to see you and to learn that you do n't need any of my delicate attentions ! The skipper is very anxious to see you , poor chap , but he would not signal for you to come aboard , as Freeman told him that you intended coming as soon as possible , but that , in the meantime , you had your hands pretty full looking after things in general .