Twelve o'clock
A little knot of people had gathered on the shore , and , receiving the tidings , became anxious for the safety of their town . It was felt that the windows , at least , were in imminent peril , and messengers were hastily sent round to have them opened . Still the deserted _ Susan Jane _ made no sign . Twelve o'clock struck from the little church at the back of the town , and she was still intact . `` Something 's gone wrong , '' said an old fisherman with a bad way of putting things . `` Now 's the time for somebody to go and tow her out to sea . '' There was no response .