six o'clock
` Taint so very far to land , considering the number of hands we 've got in the boats . '' Quickly the available oars were manned , the men being told off in relays to row for half an hour at a time , while the skipper of the torpedoed boat relieved Ross at the yoke-lines . The mate , who had been picked up by the other boat , was also able to give Vernon a spell . At six o'clock , a biscuit and a small quantity of water were served out to each man , and preparations were made for the approaching night . Vernon 's boat , which possessed the only lantern that would burn , was to take the lead as soon as darkness set in , the light enabling the whaler to keep in touch with her consort . `` Jolly funny where the _ Capella 's _ got to , '' remarked Ross to the skipper . `` With her speed she could search a couple of hundred square miles by this time . '' ''