nine o’clock
It was stayed with shrouds , and carried a makeshift sail . A large broad-bladed oar was fixed behind to act as a rudder in case the wind was sufficient to require it . The greatest pains had been expended on strengthening the raft to resist the force of the waves , but the question remained whether , in the event of a change of wind , they could steer , or indeed , whether they could hope ever to reach the land . At nine o'clock they began to load . First came the provisions , in quantity sufficient to last till they should reach Auckland , for they could not count on the productions of this barren region . Olbinett 's stores furnished some preserved meat which remained of the purchase made for their voyage in the MACQUARIE . This was but a scanty resource .