twelve o'clock
Here , then , was some clue to my situation , and one which would probably have elicited all in due season ; but just at this moment a voice on deck saved me from any further calculations . Two persons were conversing whose voices were not altogether unknown to me , but why I knew not . `` Then , Captain , I suppose you consider this as an excellent passage . '' `` Yes , of course I do , '' replied the captain , `` it 's only five hours since we left Howth , and now you see we are nearly in ; if we have this run of the tide we shall reach the Head before twelve o'clock . '' `` Ha ! ha ! '' said I to myself , `` now I begin to learn something .