eight o’clock
Considering her size , the SCOTIA might justly look upon the DUNCAN as a mere fly-boat , and yet this pleasure yacht of Lord Glenarvan was quite the center of attraction , and the excitement about her daily increased . The DUNCAN was to sail out with the tide at three o'clock on the morning of the 25th of August . But before starting , a touching ceremony was witnessed by the good people of Glasgow . At eight o'clock the night before , Lord Glenarvan and his friends , and the entire crew , from the stokers to the captain , all who were to take part in this self-sacrificing voyage , left the yacht and repaired to St. Mungo 's , the ancient cathedral of the city . This venerable edifice , so marvelously described by Walter Scott , remains intact amid the ruins made by the Reformation ; and it was there , beneath its lofty arches , in the grand nave , in the presence of an immense crowd , and surrounded by tombs as thickly set as in a cemetery , that they all assembled to implore the blessing of Heaven on their expedition , and to put themselves under the protection of Providence . The Rev. Mr. Morton conducted the service , and when he had ended and pronounced the benediction , a young girl 's voice broke the solemn silence that followed . It was Mary Grant who poured out her heart to God in prayer for her benefactors , while grateful happy tears streamed down her cheeks , and almost choked her utterance .