five o’clock in the
afternoon
The morning after this particular time to which I allude , was darker than any which had gone before it ; absolutely you could not see the breadth of the ship from you ; and as we had not taken the sun for five days , we had to grope our way almost entirely by the lead . I had the forenoon watch , during the whole of which we were amongst a little fleet of fishing-boats , although we could scarcely see them , but being unwilling to lose ground by lying to , we fired a gun every half hour , to give the small craft notice of our vicinity , that they might keep their bells a-going . Every three or four minutes , the marine drum-boy , or some amateur performer , -- for most sailors would give a glass of grog any day to be allowed to beat a drum for five minutes on end -- beat a short roll , and often as we drove along , under a reefed foresail , and close reefed topsails , we could hear the answering tinkle before we saw the craft from which it proceeded ; and when we did perceive her as we flew across her stern , we could only see it , and her mast , and one or two well-swathed , hardy fishermen , the whole of the little vessel forward being hid in a cloud . I had been invited this day to dine with the Captain , Mr Splinter , the first lieutenant being also of the party ; the cloth had been withdrawn , and we had all had a glass or two of wine a-piece , when the fog settled down so thickly , although it was not more than five o'clock in the afternoon , that the captain desired that the lamp might be lit . It was done , and I was remarking the contrast between the dull , dusky , brown light , or rather the palpable London fog that came through the skylight , and the bright yellow sparkle of the lamp , when the second lieutenant , Mr Treenail , came down the ladder . `` We have shoaled our water to five fathoms , sir -- shells and stones . -- Here , Wilson , bring in the lead . ''