eight o'clock in the morning
Three-quarters of an hour from the moment of leaving the yacht , Jack and Macintyre were safely on board her again , with their task accomplished , much to the satisfaction of the party . It was well on toward lunch-time ere the yacht 's bunkers were full and she was able to haul off from the coal hulk , and the greater part of the afternoon was occupied by the crew in washing down the decks and paint work , cleaning up generally , polishing brasswork , and restoring the little vessel to her normal state of immaculate neatness ; during which Jack and the two Montijos took a final run ashore , for it had been decided that , failing the occurrence of anything to cause an alteration of their plans , they would leave for Cuba on the following day . No attempt was made to preserve secrecy as to the yacht 's movements ; nor , on the other hand , were the preparations for her departure ostentatiously displayed . Soon after eight o'clock in the morning a thin film of smoke was seen to issue from the vessel 's funnel , gradually increasing in density , and it became quite apparent to all who chose to interest themselves in the matter that the _ Thetis _ was getting up steam in readiness to take her departure . And that she intended to leave almost immediately was further indicated by the arrival alongside her of a boat containing fresh water , and other boats containing fresh meat , vegetables , fruit , and supplies generally . But there were no signs of hurry on board the vessel : everything was done openly and leisurely , as is the way of people who are taking their pleasure ; and it was not until nearly five o'clock in the afternoon that the boats were hoisted to the davits , and a thin jet of steam spouting from the bows of the vessel proclaimed that her crew were getting her anchor . And when at length Perkins , the chief mate , standing in the bows of the vessel , vociferously announced that the anchor was aweigh , there was no sign of haste or anxiety in the slow , leisurely movement of the yacht as she swept round in a wide circle from the spot where she had lain at anchor , and headed seaward by way of the West Channel , dipping her ensign to the men-o ' - war in the roadstead as she went , while her crew catted and fished the anchor on its appearance above the surface .