seven in the morning
We remained on this spot till break of day , when the weather was too hazy to admit of our distinguishing any object at sea , which was covered with fog . All we could descry was a dark cloud , which they told us was the isle of Amber , at the distance of a quarter of a league from the coast . We could only discern on this gloomy day the point of the beach where we stood , and the peaks of some mountains in the interior part of the island , rising occasionally from amidst the clouds which hung around them . `` At seven in the morning we heard the beat of drums in the woods ; and soon after the governor , Monsieur de la Bourdonnais , arrived on horseback , followed by a detachment of soldiers armed with muskets , and a great number of islanders and blacks . He ranged his soldiers upon the beach , and ordered them to make a general discharge , which was no sooner done , than we perceived a glimmering light upon the water , which was instantly succeeded by the sound of a gun . We judged that the ship was at no great distance , and ran towards that part where we had seen the light . We now discerned through the fog the hull and tackling of a large vessel ; and notwithstanding the noise of the waves , we were near enough to hear the whistle of the boatswain at the helm , and the shouts of the mariners .