About four o'clock
He could make a landing or get a boat under way , as well as the most experienced pilot ; and in the present instance he was fully capable of steering the boat , for as the water in the river was high , there was no danger of getting out of the channel . The pilot gave him his place , and after watching the movements of the young officer , who handled the wheel with all the confidence of an old river man , he went below to his dinner , satisfied that he had left the boat in safe hands . Frank remained at the wheel most of the afternoon , for the pilot , who would be on watch all night , had gone to bed to obtain a few hours ' rest . About four o'clock , however , he made his appearance , and Frank went down into the cabin , and was engaged in reading a newspaper , when he heard the pilot shout through the trumpet to the engineers : `` Here they are ! Now , push her ahead strong . There 's a battery just below . '' At the same moment there was a rush of feet on deck , and the lieutenant entered the cabin pale and breathless .