midnight
Springall had orders to distribute among them , and without distinction , abundance of rum , while Dalton retired to his cabin , still unmoved , to pen some despatches , which he deemed necessary to send to the main land that night . When he returned on deck , the revellers had retired , and the watch was set . Many of the stars that had witnessed the events we have recorded had sunk , and others had risen in their stead . The midnight air was chill and cold ; Jeromio 's body lay where it had fallen , stiffening in its gore ; for no one cared to meddle with it till the Skipper 's pleasure was known as to how it was to be disposed of . Dalton gazed upon it but for an instant , and then ordered that a man named Mudy , the black , and butcher of the ship , should attend him . `` Here , Mudy , '' he exclaimed , `` chop me off that rascal 's head -- quick , do it ! '' The brute carelessly performed his task .