nine o’clock
They drifted slowly toward the land , which rose in gray , hazy masses , on a background of sky illumined by the rising sun . The reef was dexterously avoided and doubled , but with the fitful breeze the raft could not get near the shore . What toil and pain to reach a coast so full of danger when attained . At nine o'clock , the land was less than a mile off . It was a steeply-shelving shore , fringed with breakers ; a practicable landing-place had to be discovered . Gradually the breeze grew fainter , and then ceased entirely . The sail flapped idly against the mast , and John had it furled .