about nine
o'clock
This was about an hour before sunset ; and by the time it was dark , the boat had become a mere speck on the water , nearly half-way between us and the ship , which was now some fifteen miles distant , heading always in the same direction . My orders had been very simple . They were , to stand on the same course , until I saw a light from the boat , and then tack , so as to run on a parallel line with the ship . The signal was made by Marble about nine o'clock . It was immediately answered from the schooner . The light in the boat was concealed from the ship , and our own was shown only for a few seconds , the disappearance of Mr. Marble 's telling us in that brief space , that our answer was noted . I tacked immediately ; and , taking in the fore-sail , stood on the directed course .