two o'clock P.M.
If she was mine , I 'd find a place for her at somebody 's expense . '' The sea became smooth , the water was found to have receded , the wind , light , had hauled to W.S.W. , and Cape Antoine was judged by dead reckoning to bear S.S.W. about thirty miles distant . The larboard fore-shrouds were found to have been scorched by the lightning , which had completely melted the tar from the after-shroud . All hands were now busily employed repairing the wreck , which by two o'clock P.M. they had got so far completed as to stand on their course in the gulf , at the rate of six knots an hour . The skipper now consulted in his mind as to the expediency of making for Havana or proceeding on his cruise . The leak had materially diminished , and , like all old vessels , though she gave a good portion of work at the pumps , a continuation of good weather might afford an opportunity to shove her across . Under these feelings , he was inclined to give the preference to his hopes rather than yield to his fears .