half past eleven
None of them were detailed to keep the anchor watch on deck ; but in the night Little crawled out of his berth , and went up the ladder . All was still on deck , and he could not see that any one was on watch . Seven bells struck on board a man-of-war at anchor near the vessel . It was half past eleven . He crept stealthily to the forecastle , where he found Bitts , who was asleep under the lee of the capstan . This discovery satisfied him that the forward officers were to keep the anchor watch . The arrangement was not favorable to the carrying out of Little 's scheme ; but if the man on deck would only sleep , it would not make so much difference .