midnight
No sailor would ever face the brute . '' We may have talked there for an hour , Watkins joining us finally , and listening to my story . My wounds , while painful enough , were all of the flesh , and the flow of blood being easily staunched , my strength returned quickly . To my surprise the hour was but little after midnight , and I had so far recovered when the watch was changed , as to insist on Watkins going forward , leaving me in charge of the deck . I felt no desire for sleep , and so he finally yielded to my orders , and curled up in a blanket in the lee of the galley . The girl was harder to manage , yet , when I left her alone , she lay down on her bed of flags . Twice later she lifted her head , and spoke as I passed , but at last remained motionless , while I carefully covered her with an extra blanket .