about ten o'clock
Thus the whole fleet passed steadily to windward , the object being to get to such a position on the `` fishing-grounds '' before night-fall , that they could put about and sail before the wind during the night , dragging their ponderous trawls over the banks where fish were known to lie . Night is considered the best time to fish , though they also fish by day , the reason being , it is conjectured , that the fish do not see the net so well at night ; it may be , also , that they are addicted to slumber at that period ! Be the reason what it may , the fact is well-known . Accordingly , about ten o'clock the admiral hove-to for a few minutes . So did the fleet . On board the _ Evening Star _ they took soundings , and found twenty-five fathoms . Then the admiral called attention by showing a `` flare . ''