twelve o'clock
I can see the water . '' Or , `` The wind is surely higher than ever , and it will be against them . '' `` On the contrary , it is almost directly favourable , but the question is whether they would venture out at all in such a storm . '' At last , however , towards twelve o'clock the wind did unmistakably begin to abate . Mr. Strafford had been out , and on his return affirmed that the storm was almost over . It might return again towards night , but if the boatmen knew their business , they should be able to take advantage of the next few hours and reach the island while the calm lasted . `` There is no sign of their arrival at present then ? ''