8 o'clock
Every day we asked the steward how old Wiggins were a-gittin ' on , and every day he 'd shake his head and say ` no better ; ' and it come to be understood , fore and aft , that it were as much as a toss-up if the old man ever smelled grass ag ` in . We had a little let-up arter gittin ' into the thirties , and for a day or so had fine weather and a chance to dry our dunnage . Fine days , however , is scarce in January on that herrin ' pond -- I 'll take just another ; mentionin ' herrin 's makes me dry -- and when you gits 'em they are most always weather-breeders . I went up on to the main royal yard when our side come up at 8 o'clock one mornin ' for to sew on the leather on the parral , and it were like a day in May . Afore I got the leather sewed on I be to look out for myself , 'cause they was goin ' to clew up the sail , and from that time on it breezed on from the sou'ard , keepin ' us constantly takin ' the sail off of her , till at four bells we was under double-reefed topsails and reefed courses , with jib , crochick , and spanker stowed . We hammered away under this , carryin ' on very heavy , 'cause she were headin ' west-nor ` west , which were a good course , till eight bells in the arternoon watch , when the sea gittin ' up so tremendiously we had to furl the reefed mainsail and mizzen topsail and close reef the fore and main topsails . `` You 'd think that were snug enough for any ship , now , would n't you ?