about four o’clock P.M.
There was fortunately no one in it at the time , and all that was saved was a few planks , and two or three of the timbers of the roofs . Most of the cooking utensils and all the astronomical instruments were lost . The colonists were now obliged to take refuge on the highest part of the islet , where nothing protected them from the weather , but fortunately a few tools had been left there , with the air pumps and the air-vessel , which Hobson had employed for catching a little of the rain-water for drinking purposes , as he no longer dared to draw for a supply upon the ice , every atom of which was of value . At about four o'clock P.M. , the soldier Kellet , the same who had already given signs of insanity , came to Mrs Barnett and said quietly -- `` I am going to drown myself , ma'am . '' `` What , Kellet ? '' exclaimed the lady . `` I tell you I am going to drown myself , '' replied the soldier .