about two o'clock in
the afternoon
When Captain Staunton went on deck he found a fine breeze blowing once more from the westward , and the brig dashing along at a slashing pace under topgallant-sails , with her nose pointing to the northward . The air was clear and transparent ; not a cloud flecked the deep blue of the sky overhead ; and a man , who had shinned aloft at Johnson 's orders as far as the main truck , was just in the act of reporting that there was nothing anywhere in sight . So that any lingering hopes which Captain Staunton may have entertained as to the possibility of the frigate rediscovering them were speedily dashed to the ground . The fine weather lasted ; and three days afterwards , about two o'clock in the afternoon , the look-out aloft reported , `` Land ho ! right ahead ! '' `` What is it like ? '' hailed Johnson from his seat on the skylight .