six o'clock to nine
There were four of us in the boat who were sailors , and my first proposal was that each of us should take a watch of three hours ; but Mr Cunningham would not hear of this . He was , it appeared , a civil engineer by profession , but he had a natural love of the sea and all matters pertaining to sea life , and was quite an enthusiastic amateur yachtsman , with a sufficient knowledge of the way to handle a boat to justify me fully in entrusting him with temporary charge of the gig , at least in fine weather ; and he insisted on taking his fair share of whatever work there might be to do . We therefore decided that he also should be allowed to stand a watch . I undertook to stand the first watch , from six o'clock to nine ; and , this being arranged , the boatswain , carpenter , and sailmaker at once disposed themselves for sleep , two upon the thwarts and the third coiled up in the eyes of the boat , while Cunningham , who declared that he had no inclination for sleep , placed himself beside me in the sternsheets and began to chat in a low tone of voice , so that he might not disturb the others . Naturally the subject uppermost in our minds was the mutiny , and we began to talk about it . I happened to express some surprise that Bainbridge had allowed the doctor to leave the ship , upon which Cunningham gave vent to a low chuckle of amusement . `` My dear chap , '' he said , `` Bainbridge did n't dare to keep him .