nine o'clock
`` That promise is better than nothing , '' the boy said ; `` but I would a deal rather go this time and take my chance next . '' `` But you see you ca n't , Percy , and there 's no use talking any more about it . I really do not expect there will be any fighting . Two junks would hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship , and I expect we shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire before we came up . '' Percy Adcock , however , was determined , if possible , to go . He was a favorite among the men , and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his wishes . `` We are to start at daybreak , Tom , so that it will be quite dark when the boats are lowered .