midnight
`` I say it 's a very good plan , captain , '' I replied laughing . `` Well , my boy , I 'll tell you of another good plan , and that is to go below and turn in , as I purpose doing . Mr Marline , '' added the captain to the first mate , `` please take the first watch . I 'll relieve you at midnight ; I do n't think there 'll be any change before then . '' With these words , Captain Miles , who had been on deck almost continuously now for two days and nights , went down to the cabin to have a couple of hours of much-needed repose ; and taking his hint as an order , good-humouredly as it was spoken , I followed him at once . Nor was I anything loth either to go to my bunk ; for I had eaten a hearty dinner which made me feel drowsy . After I had turned in , too , there being no excitement to keep me awake , and the ship being quite safe , there being now every prospect of the gale coming soon to an end , I slept like a top -- Harry the steward having to wake me again next morning to tell me that breakfast was ready , and coming twice to shake my bunk before I would turn out .