eight o'clock
At last the day came when everything was complete , the water casks filled , and the last packet and bale stored away in the hold ; and even Reuben Hawkshaw admitted that there was nothing else that he could think of , requisite either for the safety or navigation of the ship , or the provisioning or health of the crew . The order was passed round for all the old hands to be aboard before sunset , that evening , together with those who had been openly engaged to fill up the vacancies . As for the rest , the twelve recruiters each received private orders . Three of them were to bring down the men they had engaged to the wharf , abreast of the Swan , at eight o'clock ; and to go off in the boat which would be awaiting them there , under charge of Master Standing . Three others were to come half an hour later . The other six were to bring down their men at daybreak -- so that all would get on board unnoticed . The last meal at Master Diggory 's was but a dull one .