nine o'clock
`` Yes , '' added his comrade in misfortune , `` and it 's a long lane that has no turning . Anyhow , we did n't make any big brag about what we were goin ' to do when we set out ; so you see nobody 's going to be disappointed even if we get left . I 'm enjoyin ' every minute of the time ; and that 's more 'n some fellers could say , '' with a meaning look in the direction of poor fat Nick , who winced , and shook his fist at the speaker . It was all of nine o'clock when Jack got the three boats in line , and had Jimmie toot his conch shell horn as a starting signal . History repeated itself again that day . The speed boat shot off like a greyhound released from bonds , the _ Comfort _ wheezed along amiably in the rear , and Jack 's craft took up a midway course . Thus for two hours and more the crew of the _ Tramp _ could watch both competing craft .