about five o’clock in the evening
The anchors , the cordage , the instruments , the travelling-wraps , the awning , the provisions , and the arms , were put in the place assigned to them in the car . The supply of water was procured at Zanzibar . The two hundred pounds of ballast were distributed in fifty bags placed at the bottom of the car , but within arm 's - reach . These preparations were concluded about five o'clock in the evening , while sentinels kept close watch around the island , and the boats of the Resolute patrolled the channel . The blacks continued to show their displeasure by grimaces and contortions . Their obi-men , or wizards , went up and down among the angry throngs , pouring fuel on the flame of their fanaticism ; and some of the excited wretches , more furious and daring than the rest , attempted to get to the island by swimming , but they were easily driven off . Thereupon the sorceries and incantations commenced ; the `` rain-makers , '' who pretend to have control over the clouds , invoked the storms and the `` stone-showers , '' as the blacks call hail , to their aid .