6 o'clock
The deck awning had been rolled up to the centre , and at the four corners of its frame had been hung four temporary electric lights within Chinese lanterns . A radiance ascended from the saloon skylight ; the windows of the deck-house blazed as usual , but the deck-house was empty ; a very subdued glow indicated where the binnacle was . And , answering these signs of existence , could be distinguished the red and green lights of steamers , the firm rays of lighthouses , and the red or white warnings of gas-buoys run by clockwork . The figures of men and women -- the women in pale gowns , the men in blue-and-white -- lounged or strolled on the spotless deck which unseen hands swabbed and stoned every morning at 6 o'clock ; and among these figures passed the figure of a steward with a salver , staying them with flagons , comforting them with the finest exotic fruit . Occasionally the huge square sail gave an idle flap . `` Get that lead out , ` Orace , '' commanded a grim voice from the wheel . A splash followed , as a man straddled himself over the starboard bow , swung a weighted line to and fro and threw it from him .