three o'clock
Two o'clock struck , and the crowd began to disperse . . Some of the bolder inhabitants who were fidgety about draughts closed their windows , and children who had been routed out of their beds to take a nocturnal walk inland were led slowly back . By three o'clock the danger was felt to be over , and day broke and revealed the forlorn Susan Jane still riding at anchor . `` I 'm going aboard , '' said the skipper suddenly ; `` who 's coming with me ? '' Jem and the mate and the town policeman volunteered , and , borrowing the boat which had served them before , pulled swiftly out to their vessel , and , taking the hatches off with unusual gentleness , commenced their search . It was nervous work at first , but they became inured to it , and , moreover , a certain suspicion , slight at first , but increasing in intensity as the search proceeded , gave them some sense of security .