about noon
But they were doomed to more disappointment . Nearly all day the bell banged and the steam hissed ; the captain told a hundred lies , but the boat did not budge an inch from her berth . Still there were certain signs that the hour of departure could not be far distant . Fresh provisions and ice in unusually large quantities were received on board about noon , and these are unfailing prognostics of `` a good time coming . '' At about five o'clock in the afternoon , the captain 's ten minutes , with which he had secured an occasional fresh passenger , seemed actually to have expired . Our two friends on board , however , had been so often disappointed that they did not allow a single bright anticipation to enliven their hearts , till they actually heard the order given `` to cast off the fasts and haul in the planks . '' And even then their hopes were instantly dampened by the sudden reversion of the order .