five o'clock in the afternoon
`` We are leaving the Islander a good way behind us , '' said Washburn , when I returned to the pilot-house , after my survey of the surrounding country . `` She is only about half a mile astern of us , '' I replied . `` I suppose we shall gain about half a mile an hour on her in this current , when we drive the Sylvania . '' `` It is five o'clock in the afternoon , '' added the mate , glancing at the clock . `` I estimate that we are all of fifty miles from New Orleans . Do you intend to run after dark , Alick ? '' `` Why not ? ''