about four o'clock in the afternoon
This plan was acted upon ; only three men were left in the lateens , and four in the galliot , and the vessels , in obedience to the orders , sheered off on both sides of the _ Rebiera _ , who made all sail and started ahead of the prizes . This manoeuvre was perceived on board of the frigate , and made them sure that it was a Spanish convoy attempting to escape . The fire-engine was got on deck , sails wetted , and every exertion made to come up . But about four o'clock in the afternoon , when the frigate was eight or nine miles off , it fell calm , as Gascoigne had predicted , and the heads of all the vessels , as well as the frigate , were now round the compass . `` There 's out boats , '' said Mr Oxbelly ; `` they will have a long pull , and all for nothing . '' `` How savage they will be ! '' observed Gascoigne .