nine o'clock
The person on the box with the driver was the first to alight , and he ran down to the water . He returned in a few minutes to the carriage , the other ruffians retaining their places . `` The boat is not here yet , but it is coming , '' said this man , reporting to the captain . `` All right ; I told the mate to be here at nine o'clock , and it has just struck that hour , '' replied Flanger . `` Go down to the water , driver . '' The vehicle moved down to the water 's edge and stopped again . At the same time the boat grated on the sand , and came to a halt a few feet from the dry ground .