nine o'clock
Left to himself , Jasper Western soon proved how much was really in him . He weathered upon the islands , passed them , and on coming out to the eastward , kept broad away , with nothing in sight in his wake or to leeward . By sunset again the cutter was up with the first of the islands that lie in the outlet of the lake ; and ere it was dark she was running through the narrow channels on her way to the long-sought station . At nine o'clock , however , Cap insisted that they should anchor ; for the maze of islands became so complicated and obscure , that he feared , at every opening , the party would find themselves under the guns of a French fort . Jasper consented cheerfully , it being a part of his standing instructions to approach the station under such circumstances as would prevent the men from obtaining any very accurate notions of its position , lest a deserter might betray the little garrison to the enemy . The _ Scud _ was brought to in a small retired bay , where it would have been difficult to find her by daylight , and where she was perfectly concealed at night , when all but a solitary sentinel on deck sought their rest . Cap had been so harassed during the previous eight-and-forty hours , that his slumbers were long and deep ; nor did he awake from his first nap until the day was just beginning to dawn .