twelve o'clock
`` Yes , sir , under top-sails and top-gallant-sails , I think . '' The officer of the watch went down to report to the captain , who had not yet turned into his cot . Captain Delmar had been informed that a Dutch frigate was expected at the island , but not until the following month ; still we had no reason to suppose that there were any of our frigates down in these latitudes , except those lying in the harbour at Curacao . The wind was light , about a three knot breeze , and there being no moon till after twelve o'clock , it was very difficult to make out what she was . Some said she was a two-decked vessel . The captain went down to look at his private signals for the night , and before he came up I was all ready with the lanterns . `` Two lights over one in a triangle ; be quick , Mr Keene . ''