eight to nine o'clock
_ Thus far , certainly , the stratagem had been adroitly managed . To add to it , the batteries now fired ten or twelve guns at the frigate , taking very good care not to hit her ; which the Proserpine returned , under the French ensign , having used the still greater precaution of drawing the shot . All this was done by an arrangement between Winchester and Andrea Barrofaldi , and with the sole view to induce Raoul Yvard to fancy that he was still believed to be an Englishman by the worthy vice-governatore , while the ship in the offing was taken for an enemy . A light air from the southward , which lasted from eight to nine o'clock , allowed the frigate to get somewhat more of an offing the while , placing her seemingly beyond the reach of danger . During the prevalence of the light air mentioned , Raoul Yvard did not see fit to stir tack or sheet , as it is termed among seamen . Le Feu-Follet remained so stationary that , had she been by compass from any station on the shore , her direction would not have varied a degree the whole time . But this hour of comparative breeze sufficed to enable Winchester to get out of the harbor with la Divina Providenza , the felucca he had hired , and to round the promontory , under the seeming protection of the guns by which it was crowned ; coming in view of the lugger precisely as the latter relieved her man at the helm for ten o'clock .