eight o'clock
His first idea had been to evade the construction of this battery altogether if possible ; but a little reflection had shown him that a time might come when its existence would be of the utmost importance to themselves , and he therefore decided to go on with the work . He accordingly pointed out to Johnson the strength of the position they occupied , the complete command over the harbour-entrance which a battery would have at that point , and the effective defence it would constitute to the new shipyard ; and the pirate was speedily convinced of the soundness of Lance 's views . These points settled , the party returned to the bottom of the bay ; and Johnson then invited Lance to present himself at eight o'clock that evening in the capstan-house , there to submit his plans for the new schooner to a committee of the pirates for approval . The drawings were in fact scarcely ready ; but by working hard for the remainder of the day not only were they completed , but the carpenter had also prepared a half-model of the hull by the hour at which the committee was to meet ; and , armed with these , Lance , Captain Staunton , and the carpenter duly presented themselves at the capstan-house at eight o'clock . They were met at the door by Johnson , who conducted them up a step - ladder into an apartment in the first floor of the building . It was a room about sixty feet long by forty feet broad , and was apparently used as a sort of general assembly-room , being fitted up with rows of benches from the door right up to a platform at the further end . On this platform there stood , upon the present occasion , a large table lighted by a pair of handsome lamps , and surrounded by a dozen chairs , some of which were already occupied when Lance and his companions entered .