about twelve
o’clock
If the current has not carried us a good deal farther than we imagine , five or six hours ought to take us there . '' The hours passed slowly . Sometimes the men had to row some distance seaward to avoid projecting headlands . At last , however , about twelve o'clock , Will exclaimed : `` I hear a ripple , sir , like the water against the bow of a ship . '' `` Easy all ! '' Nelson said at once . The order was obeyed , and all listened intently .