three o'clock
It was lodged in the rocks , where it covered the trail , and stones were piled abundantly about it . A fuse was laid to the vent . From time to time both the exiles had crept towards the one lone tree on the wall , to observe the on-coming boat . By three o'clock of the afternoon the wind had practically failed , but the craft drifted slowly forward . It was plainly in sight by then -- a fair-sized affair with a singular out-rigger and a queer , unmistakable sail . So far as Grenville could determine at the distance , there were three or four natives aboard . `` If none of them ever go back to tell the tale , '' he announced , a bit grimly to Elaine , `` we may be all right for quite a time . ''