about three o'clock in the afternoon
So now , if the wind holds good , seeing we are such friends with the Frenchmen in these peaceful days , I purpose stopping at the Mauritius to take aboard fresh provisions . '' Captain Croker did not look at me whilst he was saying all this , but studiously kept his eyes upon the plate before him , and presently rose and left the table . As for me , I sat with my heart beating within my breast as though it would burst asunder , for I saw that my fate was decided at last , and that one of the greatest happenings in all of my life was soon to come upon me . In two days , as Captain Croker had predicted , we dropped anchor in the harbor off Port Louis at about three o'clock in the afternoon . I ate but little supper that night , my mind being so engrossed upon that which I had undertaken to do . We lay about half a mile from the shore , the water in the bay being very calm and still . I had procured four large calabash gourds , with which I had made shift to rig up a very decent float or life-preserver , for I had need of some such aid in my expedition , not being a very expert swimmer .