About nine o'clock
Night fell . The _ Garbosa _ was hanging on under a close-reefed sail , driving head foremost into the pitchy dark . The lanterns had not been lighted , for the risk of being seen was worse , almost , than the danger of a collision . About nine o'clock , the Rector gave a frantic pull at the rudder . A light had appeared in the mist , close by off the port bow . It was a boat beating down in the opposite direction . Pascualo could not make out the lines of the craft as she sped past ; but he knew it was the cutter , which had tired of loafing off the Cabañal , and was boldly running for the Columbretas to catch the smugglers in their refuge before the storm cleared .