The Earnest steams slowly on, for three o'clock is close at hand and that is the hour fixed for Captain Boyton's start from the Cran aux Anguilles, El Chine, about two hundred yards to the east of the Grisnez light.
"Three A.M .-- A rocket rushes up from the boat sent ashore.

It is the signal of Captain Boyton's departure.

It is answered by a display of fire-works from the Earnest.

A gun is fired and Grisnez light flickers and goes out.

Day is breaking; but Captain Boyton is not discernable yet.