eight
o'clock
The body is never allowed to remain many hours unburied in the tropical climates , where putrefaction is so rapid . The following morning the men were up at daylight , washing the decks and putting the ship in order ; they worked willingly , and yet with a silent decorum which showed what their feelings were . Never were the decks better cleaned , never were the ropes more carefully _ flemished _ down ; the hammocks were stowed in their white cloths , the yards carefully squared , and the ropes hauled taut . At eight o'clock , the colours and pennant were hoisted half-mast high . The men were then ordered down to breakfast , and to clean themselves . During the time that the men were at breakfast , all the officers went into the cabin to take a last farewell look at our gallant captain . He appeared to have died without pain , and there was a beautiful tranquillity in his face ; but even already a change had taken place , and we perceived the necessity of his being buried so soon .