four o'clock
Gib ! Well , what 's the use talkin ' to a man with an imagination ? Only if I have to go ashore after you two , those islanders 'll date time from my visit , and do n't you forget it . '' It was nearing four o'clock that afternoon when Commodore Gibney and his navigating officer , Captain Scraggs , both faultlessly arrayed in Panama hats , white ducks , white canvas shoes , cut low , showing pink silk socks , and wearing broad , black silken sashes around their waists , climbed over the side into the whaleboat and were rowed ashore in a manner befitting their rank . McGuffey stood at the rail and jeered them , for his democratic soul could take no cognizance of form or ceremony to a cannibal king , or at least a king but recently delivered from cannibalism . Upon arrival at the beach the two adventurers were met by a contingent of frightful-looking savages bearing long spears . As the procession formed around the two guests of honour and plunged into the bush , bound for the king 's wari , two island maidens marched behind the two sea-dogs , waving huge palm-leaf fans , the better to make passage a cool and comfortable one .