about the hour of
ten o'clock
To bring about this contingency , he went on the very next night , and requested to be once more placed on the post of Ensenada . His wish was gratified ; and while Don Lucas believed him asleep as usual , Pepe kept wide awake , as on the preceding night . We shall leave him at his post , while we recount what was taking place off the coast not far from the Ensenada . The night was as foggy as that which preceded it , when about the hour of ten o'clock a _ coaster _ was observed gliding in towards the cliffs , and entering among a labyrinth of rocks that lay near the mouth of the bay . This vessel appeared well guided and well _ sailed _ . The shape of her hull , her rigging , her sails , denoted her to be a ship-of-war , or at the least a privateer . The boldness with which she manoeuvred , in the middle of the darkness , told that her pilot must be some one well acquainted with this dangerous coast ; and also that her commander had an understanding with some people on the shore .