three o'clock
At the same time there 's no cause for worry . We are certain to go if any one does . '' `` Yes , me and Teddy -- '' began Rollo , but Ridge silenced him that they might hear the continuation of the Ensign 's story . `` At three o'clock on Friday morning , the 3d , '' resumed Comly , `` the _ Merrimac _ left the fleet and steamed in towards Santiago entrance . On board , besides Hobson and his six chosen men , was one other , a coxswain of the _ New York _ , who had helped prepare the collier for her fate , and at the last moment stowed himself away in her hold for the sake of sharing it . `` With Hobson on the bridge , two men at the wheel , two in the engine-room , two stoking , and one forward ready to cut away the anchor , the doomed ship entered the narrow water-way and passed the outer line of mines in safety . Then the Spaniards discovered her , and from the way they let loose they must have thought the whole American fleet was trying to force the passage .