two o’clock
`` HONOURED PARENTS , `` I write this from sea , lat . N. 44.15 -- long . W. 9.45 -- wind N.N.E. -- to let you know you will not see me so soon as I said in my last , of the 16th . Yesterday , P.M. two o'clock , some despatches were brought to my good captain , by the Pickle sloop , which will to-morrow , wind and weather permitting , alter our destination . What the nature of them is I can not impart to you , for it has not transpired beyond the lieutenants ; but whatever I do under the orders of my good captain , I am satisfied and confident all is for the best . For my own share , I long for an opportunity of fighting the French , and of showing the captain _ what is in me _ , and that the pains he has took to make a gentleman , and an honour to his majesty 's service , of me , is not thrown away . Had he been my own father , or brother , he could not be better , or _ done more _ .