four o'clock
`` I will try , '' Adolphe said , `` though I would rather cut off my hand than pull an oar to take these poor creatures out to be murdered . But I will do it , monsieur . But except for that I warrant me they will not get a sailor in Nantes to put his hand to an oar to aid their accursed work . '' It was four o'clock when they arrived at Nantes . Adolphe went straight to the prison , while Harry walked along the quay . When he came abreast the centre of the town a number of sailors and fishermen were standing talking in low tones , and looking with horror at four luggers moored in a line in the centre of the river . A number of men drawn from the scum of the town were painting them white , while a strong body of troops were drawn up on the quay in readiness to put a summary stop to any demonstration of hostility on the part of the sailors .