twelve o'clock
It had been a great puzzle to his brother officers , to understand what two weasan-faced mechanical-looking men , from the shore , had been doing in his cabin the greater part of the night . They did not believe , as the doctor intimated , that they were functionaries of the law , taking instructions for his last will and testament ; though the astute surgeon had sent a note to Mr Farmer , the first-lieutenant , with what he thought infinite cunning , to know , in case of anything fatal happening immediately to the writer , whether his friend would prefer to have bequeathed to him the testator 's double-barrelled fowling piece , or his superb Manton 's duelling-pistols . Mr Farmer replied , `` that he would very willingly take his chance of both . '' At twelve o'clock everything was ready . The survey was to take place in the captain 's cabin . Dr Thompson sends for his two assistants , and then , for the first time for three days , he emerges , leaning heavily upon both his supporters . Can this be the jovial and rubicund doctor ?