eleven o'clock
Welch only smiled . The breeze had freshened , and , though there were no great waves at sea , yet breakers , formidable to such a craft as theirs , were seen foaming over long disjointed reefs ahead , that grinned black and dangerous here and there . They then consulted Welch , and he told them they must tack directly , and make a circuit of the island ; he had to show them how to tack ; and , the sea rising , they got thoroughly wetted , and Miss Rolleston rather frightened ; for here was a peril they had wonderfully escaped hitherto . However , before eleven o'clock , they had stood out to sea , and coasted the whole south side of the island . They then put the boat before the wind , and soon ran past the east coast , which was very narrow -- in fact , a sort of bluff-head -- and got on the north side of the island . Here the water was comparatively smooth , and the air warm and balmy . They ranged along the coast at about a mile 's distance , looking out for a good landing .