two o'clock
in the morning
The boats were all hoisted up at the davits , as if to provide for just such cases as his own . He listened with interest to the conversation of the watch above him ; but he could not identify their voices , and was unable to determine whether it was safe for him to address them . In fact he was unable to determine upon anything , and bell after bell struck without finding him any better prepared to make a move . At four bells , or two o'clock in the morning , the watch was relieved again , and Clyde remained in the same unsettled state of mind . But when the two seamen went below to call the relief , he changed his position , crawling into the waist , where he disposed himself under the lee of the rail . Over his head was the fourth cutter , one of the smallest of the boats . Clyde could see the dark form of the officer walking to and fro on the quarter-deck , and his presence was not favorable to any movement .