twelve o'clock
But Captain MacNab wanted his deck to himself , so with cheerful good nights , the moon being up , we descended to take our first meal on board , and use those narrow couches at which we were so much amused , and which the children had been longing to try from the moment they came on board . Such a noisy tea never was , interrupted now and then by a lurching of the vessel , which was such a new thing to us that all started , some in fear , some in fun , and some , I must own , with other feelings not very agreeable . The oddity of having nothing steady on our swinging table , the laughing at the pale looks that flitted across the faces of others , the grave determination with which little Winny declared `` that now she was really a sailor , she would only eat ship biscuit , '' caused intense merriment . But ere tea was over one or two of our party disappeared , and when twelve o'clock arrived Captain MacNab had La Luna all to himself and his men , for the feminine crew were deep in slumber , caused by the , to them , unusual motion of the sea , and the unwonted excitement of the day . _ May 4 . _ -- The next morning there were many defaulters , myself amongst the number . In lieu of the laughter and joy of the preceding evening , there were groans , and moans , and beseechings for tea or a drink of water .