about ten
o'clock
Perhaps he has left it out on purpose . '' Such we had every reason to believe was the case , for in a minute La Motte returned bringing a well-fitted boat compass , which was just suited for our purpose . We also got hold of a lantern and a quantity of candles , and we threw as many greatcoats and blankets into the boat as we could collect , for it was bitterly cold , and we had reason to dread its effects more than anything else . We should have started at once , but La Motte told us that he had overheard some of the Frenchmen talking of a guard-boat which came round the harbour once , at all events , during the night , somewhere about ten o'clock , and that it would be wiser in us to wait till she had gone by . Accordingly we veered our boat astern , and agreed to wait till then . We all went below and lay down , hoping to get a little sleep and rest before it was time to start . La Motte volunteered to remain on deck till the guard-boat came round , and as he spoke French like a Frenchman , he said that he should lead the officers to suppose that all the prisoners had gone on shore , and that might prevent them from keeping any strict watch on the lugger .