about two o'clock in the
afternoon
There were some who would not have been surprised at any startling occurrence ; an apparition of the scarred sea-dog , rushing along the streets , slashing his sword about like a madman , would have seemed to them nothing extraordinary , under the circumstances . But expectation stood so long on tip-toe that it grew tired , and came down a few inches . Nothing occurred to arouse the quiet inhabitants . Captain Allen was seen to enter his dwelling about two o'clock in the afternoon , and although not less than twenty sharp pairs of eyes were turned in that direction , and never abated their vigilance until night drew down her curtains , no one got even a glimpse of his person . Jacob Perkins left the town , and took refuge with a neighbor living two miles away , on the first intimation of the Captain 's return . The next day passed , but no one saw the Captain . On the third day a member of the inquisitorial committee , who had his house under constant observation , saw him drive out with his son , and take the road that went direct to the neighborhood where Jacob Perkins lay concealed in the house of a friend .