about five o'clock
Arthur shook his head , and tried by word and sign to indicate his anxiety for the rest of his companions . The sailor threw up his hands , and pointed towards the sea , to show that he believed them to be all lost ; but Arthur insisted that five -- marking them off on his fingers -- were on _ gebal _ , a rock , and emphatically indicated his desire of reaching them . The Moor returned the word ` Cabeleyzes , ' with gestures signifying throat-cutting and slavery , also that these present hosts regarded them as banditti . How far off they were it was not possible to make out , for of course Arthur 's own sensations were no guide ; but he knew that the wreck had taken place early in the afternoon , and that he had come on shore in the dusk , which was then at about five o'clock . There was certainly a promontory , made by the ridge of a hill , and also a river between him and any survivors there might be . This was all that he could gather , and he was not sure of even thus much , but he was still too much wearied and battered for any exertion of thought or even anxiety . Three days ' tempest in a cockle-shell of a ship , and then three hours ' tossing on a plank , had left him little but the desire of repose , and the Moors were merciful and let him alone .