twelve o'clock
We then went to what they called the Ranelagh Gardens , to see the fireworks , which were to be let off at ten o'clock . It was exactly ten when we paid for our admission , and we waited very patiently for a quarter of an hour , but there were no signs of the fireworks being displayed . The fact was , that the man to whom the gardens belonged waited until more company should arrive , although the place was already very full of people . Now the first lieutenant had ordered the boat to wait for us until twelve o'clock , and then return on board ; and , as we were seven miles from Portsmouth , we had not much time to spare . We waited another quarter of an hour , and then it was agreed that as the fireworks were stated in the handbill to commence precisely at ten o'clock , we were fully justified in letting them off ourselves . O'Brien went out , and returned with a dozen penny rattans , which he notched in the end . The fireworks were on the posts and stages , all ready , and it was agreed that we should light them all at once , and then mix with the crowd .