two o'clock
Nor were the two men who were in her more circumspect ; for having drunk a little too much liquor , they fell fast asleep ; but one of them waking before the other , and perceiving the boat too fast aground for his strength to move it , he hallooed out to the rest , who made all possible expedition to come to him ; but as Providence ordered it , all their force was ineffectual to launch her , when I could hear them speak to one another , _ Why let her alone , Jack , ca n't ye , she 'll float next tide _ ; by which words I was fully convinced they were my own countrymen . I all this while lay very quiet , as being fully sensible it could be no less than ten hours before the boat would be afloat , and then it would be so dark , that they could not easily perceive me , by which means I should be at more liberty to hear their talk , and observe all their motions : not but that I prepared for my defence : yet , as I had another sort of enemy to combat with I acted with more caution . I took two fusees on my shoulder , and gave Friday three muskets ; besides my formidable goat-skin coat and monstrous cap made me look as fierce and terrible as Hercules of old , especially when two pistols were stuck in my belt , and my naked sword hanging by my side . It was my design at first not to make any attempt till it was dark ; and it being now two o'clock , in the very heat of the day , the sailors were all straggling in the woods , and undoubtedly were lain down to sleep . The three poor distressed creatures , too anxious to get any repose , were however seated under the shade of a great tree , about a quarter of a mile from me . Upon which , without any more ado , I approached towards them , with my man following behind me , and before I was perceived , I called aloud to them in Spanish , _ What are ye , Gentlemen _ . At these words , they started up in great confusion , when they beheld the strange figure I made ; they returned no answer , but seemed as if they would fly from me : ` Gentlemen , ' said I , in English ` do n't be afraid , perhaps you have a friend nearer than you expect . '