about three in the
afternoon
It was a clear night . I ate my breakfast before the sun was up ; and heaving anchor , the wind being favourable , I steered the same course that I had done the day before , wherein I was directed by my pocket compass . My intention was to reach , if possible , one of those islands which I had reason to believe lay to the north-east of Van Diemen 's Land . I discovered nothing all that day ; but upon the next , about three in the afternoon , when I had by my computation made twenty-four leagues from Blefuscu , I descried a sail steering to the south-east ; my course was due east . I hailed her , but could get no answer ; yet I found I gained upon her , for the wind slackened . I made all the sail I could , and in half an hour she spied me , then hung out her ancient , and discharged a gun . It is not easy to express the joy I was in , upon the unexpected hope of once more seeing my beloved country , and the dear pledges I left in it .