about nine o'clock
`` Yes , it may be , but I do n't think it is . ` Bout ship , there ! '' he shouted ; and the great boom of the mainsail slowly swung round , and they sailed nearly out of sight of land by sundown , when the helm was once more rammed down hard , the cutter careened round in a half circle , and as the white wings were swelling , they made once more for the coast . It was about nine o'clock of a deliciously soft night , and the moist sweet air that came off the shore was sweetly fragrant of flowers and new-mown hay . The night was cloudy , and very dusky for the time of year , a fact so much in their favour , and with the watch on the alert , for the lieutenant would not call the men to quarters in case the informer did not come , he and Hilary leaned over the side , gazing at the scattered lights that twinkled on the shore . An hour and a half had passed away , and the time , which a church clock ashore had struck , ten , seemed to have far exceeded this hour , when , as they all watched the mist which hung between them and the invisible shore , a light was suddenly seen to come as it were out of a bank of fog , and glide slowly towards them , but as if to go astern . The cutter had a small lamp hoisted to the little masthead , and the lieutenant knew that this would be sufficient signal of their whereabouts , and so it proved , for the gliding light came nearer and nearer , and soon after a voice they both recognised hailed them .