four o'clock
To our great delight , what we had hoped , but hardly dared expect , came to pass . The school , as if with one impulse , hauled up on their course four points , which made them head direct for the western verge of the Solander ground , and -- what was more important to us -- made our coming up with them a matter of a short time . We made the customary signals with the upper sails to our friends to the northward , who recognized them immediately , and bore down towards us . Not only had the school shifted their course , but they had slackened speed ; so that by four o'clock we were able to lower for them at less than a mile distance . It was an ideal whaling day -- smooth water , a brisk breeze , a brilliant sun , and plenty of whales . I was , as became my position , in the rear when we went into action , and hardly hoped for an opportunity of doing much but dance attendance upon my seniors . But fortune favoured me .