a quarter to three
Four pairs of eyes searched the surface of the water , but never another ripple showed , and never another glimpse did we catch of the black head and white shoulder . `` It 's the Porpoise , '' Nicholas said . `` It would take broad daylight for us to catch him . '' At a quarter to three the pirates gave their first sign of weakening . We heard cries for help , in the unmistakable voice of the Centipede , and this time , on rowing closer , we were not fired upon . The Centipede was in a truly perilous plight . Only the heads and shoulders of his fellow-marauders showed above the water as they braced themselves against the current , while his feet were off the bottom and they were supporting him .