four o'clock
The most intense excitement prevailed . Still the light was directly ahead , and , apparently , a long distance from them . John told Sutoto to haul in the sails , and to take a course directly to the south . He explained that it would be wise to stand off the shore as long as possible , as the ship 's clock showed that it was now past four o'clock so that within the next hour they might be able to view the land clearly enough to determine their future course . Impatiently they awaited that period of gloom which is said to be the darkest time , -- just before the dawn . This seemed to be so to the watchers , but shortly after five the curtain lifted . A slight haze was over the land , but they had found an island , at least .