about twelve o'clock
At eight , the Anne sailed again , and at ten she had the Needle in sight , with three boats off it , on the look-out . Here , then , were tidings at last ; but , the impatience of the governor was restrained , in order to make out the character of a sail that had been seen coming down through the straits , under a cloud of canvas . In a short time , this vessel was made out to be the Abraham , and the Anne hauled up to get her news . The two schooners spoke each other about twelve o'clock , but the Abraham had no intelligence to impart . She had been sent , or rather carried by Bigelow , out by the eastern passage , and had stood along the whole of the weather-side of the group , to give notice to the whalers where to go ; and she had notified the two brigs to go in to-windward , and to remain in Weather Bay , where all the rest of the dull crafts had been taken for safety ; and then had come to-leeward to look for the governor . As the Abraham was barely a respectable sailer , it was not deemed prudent to take her too near the strangers ; but , she might see how matters were situated to the eastward . By keeping on the weather-coast , and so near the land as not to be cut off from it , she would be of particular service ; since no enemy could approach in that quarter , without being seen ; and Bigelow 's familiarity with the channels would enable him , not only to save his schooner by running in , but would put it in his power to give notice throughout the whole group , of the position and apparent intentions of the strangers .