three in the afternoon
And he never staggers nor seems in danger of being rolled away . On the contrary , such a surplus of surety of balance has he that time and again he lent his surplus to me . I begin to have more respect , not for the sea , but for the men of the sea , and not for the sweepings of seamen that are as slaves on our decks , but for the real seamen who are their masters -- for Captain West , for Mr. Pike , yes , and for Mr. Mellaire , dislike him as I do . As early as three in the afternoon the wind , still a gale , went back to the south-west . Mr. Mellaire had the deck , and he went below and reported the change to Captain West . `` We 'll wear ship at four , Mr. Pathurst , '' the second mate told me when he came back . `` You 'll find it an interesting manoeuvre . ''