four o'clock a.m.
`` We will at least ascertain whether there are any human beings on board her . Mr Ritson , '' -- to the carpenter , who since Cross 's impressment had acted in the capacity of second mate -- `` steer your present course , please , as long as the wind will allow you ; crack on all you can ; and , as soon as the burning ship -- or whatever it is -- is fairly in sight , give me a call . '' He then descended to his cabin , and in another five minutes had fallen into a state of blissful oblivion . At eight bells -LRB- or four o'clock a.m. -RRB- Ritson knocked at George 's state-room door , after calling the chief mate , and said -- `` We can see the flames and smoke from the deck , sir , though the ship herself is still hull-down . I 've been up in the fore-top , howsoever , with the glass , and make her out to be a large ship -- close upon a thousand tons , I should say -- but I ca n't see any people on board of her , nor I ca n't make out no sign of boats . She 's all ablaze from for ` ard right aft as far as the main-mast , which toppled over and fell for ` ard while I was lookin ' at her . I fancy the people must ha ' left her , sir . ''