three
o’clock
`` The surf on the bar will be tremendous , but if we could stick to the casks we might get through it . '' `` Do you think that you are north or south of it now , captain ? '' `` North , perhaps two or three miles . '' `` Well , we will go on fighting as long as we can , captain ; it is of no use throwing away a chance , and the wind may possibly drop or shift so as to enable us to make off shore ; but if we do not see the land before three o'clock I would turn and run in towards it , and then when we get near enough to see objects plainer , head for the south until you see the entrance . When you do we will go straight for it . It is better at any rate to do it while there is daylight to help us . '' The barrels were got up and prepared to serve as life-buoys .