ten o'clock
We were now in seven fathoms water , and , by our pricking off on the chart , about eleven miles from land , which was so low as to be barely visible from the mast-head . The men were allowed an hour to their breakfast , and then we beat to quarters . The captain did not , however , put out the fires , so as to prevent the ship 's company 's dinner being cooked , as everything was ready , and the magazines could be opened in a minute . At ten o'clock we had drawn into six fathoms water ; the Frenchman was now nearly astern of us , still on the opposite tack , and passing about three miles to leeward of the merchant vessel which lagged most behind . It was now considered certain that she would re-capture this vessel , which was at least seven miles astern of us , and not impossible that she might take one , if not both of the others , as it was evident she was a prime sailer , as fast almost as our own ship . At a quarter-past ten , the French line-of-battle ship tacked , and stood right after us in our wake , being now hull down about twelve miles from us . `` He 'll soon have the starnmost vessel , Mr Keene , '' said Bob Cross to me .