nine o'clock
Then he burst into a wild laugh , sprang to his feet , and with his eye fixed on the engine , and his arms outstretched towards the funnel , he cried aloud , `` Help . '' The harbour bell was upon the quay , at a few paces distance . He ran to it , seized the chain , and began to pull it violently . Gilliatt , in fact , after a passage without accident , but somewhat slow on account of the heavy burden of the sloop , had arrived at St. Sampson after dark , and nearer ten than nine o'clock . He had calculated the time . The half-flood had arrived . There was plenty of water , and the moon was shining ; so that he was able to enter the port .