four o'clock
Little by little Seal Island sank behind them and the familiar outlines of Tarpaulin loomed clearer and higher . The increasing breeze , blowing against the ocean current , kicked up a lively chop , on which the dory danced skittishly . It took all Spurling 's strength and skill to drive her onward . At four o'clock they still had between four and five miles to go . The sea was alive with white horses . As the boat fell into the trough Percy momentarily lost sight of the island . He now recognized Spurling 's wisdom in heading so far north of their goal .