About nine o'clock
`` I can manage her much better without a cargo , fellows , '' he declared , earnestly . `` Now , listen to him , would you , calling me a cargo ? '' whimpered Nick ; but while he thus pretended to be offended , it was laughable to see how quickly he made the transfer , as though afraid Jack might change his mind , or George want him to stay . About nine o'clock the start was made , as the tide would be most favorable around that time , the lighthouse keeper had told them . Since the _ Comfort _ had been overhauled she was capable of making better time than previously , when she was known as the `` Tub '' by the rest of the boys . Herb declared he could take her across in two hours , though Jack privately believed it would be nearer three before they reached Norfolk . It turned out to be a hedge , just two and a half hours elapsing from the time they made the start until they drew up near the big wharves at Norfolk .