eight o'clock
The lights gleamed out one by one in the houses of the town . The fishing smacks came slowly up the river to their anchorage , impelled by the oars of their crews which struck the water with sharp , rhythmical strokes , and with their sails distended on the chance of catching an occasional puff of the dropping wind to help them along . A couple of steamers passed , sending up volumes of black smoke and myriads of sparks from their double stacks , and lashing the water into foam with their powerful paddles . At eight o'clock the Count d'Artigas appeared on the schooner 's deck accompanied by a man about fifty years of age , to whom he remarked : `` It is time to go , Serko . '' `` Very well , I will tell Spade , '' replied Serko . At that moment the captain joined them . `` You had better get ready to go , '' said the Count .