four in the afternoon
The boat was not in sight , and the only signs of life visible around us were some slender columns of smoke ascending from the native villages along the coast , which was less than three miles away . The heat at ten o'clock was intense , and , to add to our discomfort , a heavy swell set in and caused us to roll incessantly . However , we lowered our mainsail , tried to be philosophical , and waited for a breeze . Towards four in the afternoon a sharp rain squall swept down upon us from the land ; it lasted barely ten minutes , and was followed by others at short intervals , and then we knew we were in for a night of it . Whenever one of these squalls came tearing over the water we made good use of the wind by running before it to the east , so as to get away from the land ; but at midnight we found we were still a great deal too close ; and that the current was very strong , and now setting in-shore very rapidly , we could tell by the sound of the surf . There was nothing for us but to tow off , for the water was too deep to anchor , even within thirty fathoms of the reef . 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 .