about four p.m.
Beyond these , to the seaward , and just on the elbow of the land that formed the entrance to the strait , our first-lieutenant discovered from the taffrail of the frigate , a white patch of sand . The rest of the shore was rocky , iron-bound , and unapproachable from the sea . Mr Farmer took me aft , pointed out to me the just visible spot , told me to fetch off as much sand as the dinghy could bear , and return with all expedition . Proud of the commission , about four p.m. , the tide running out furiously , I ordered the _ dinghies _ to be piped away , and walking down the side with due dignity , with a bucket and a couple of spades , we pushed off , and soon reached the spot . The boat was loaded , but in the meantime the tide had left , and , light and small as she was , three little boys could not launch her till almost all the sand had been returned to its native soil . All this occupied much time . It was nearly dusk when we got her afloat , and the wind had got up strongly from off the land .