midnight
This duty was generally performed by the master-at-arms and ship 's corporal , familiarly called throughout the service `` Jack Ketch and his mate ; '' but in this particular ship , and for the time being , they received the more apposite title of ship 's `` turkey buzzards . '' I ought to have mentioned , that in obedience both to naval etiquette and the superstitious feelings of the sailors , the burial service of the Episcopal Church was regularly read over the result of the ship 's turkey buzzards ' researches above or below deck . Old Cuff , who had been on shore with a watering party , where he had made a pretty heavy libation of new rum , came on board at sunset ; but having a somewhat confused recollection of the `` bearings and distances '' down the fore-ladder , he wisely concluded to set up his tabernacle for the night upon the boom . Long before midnight he perceived the symptoms of the cruel disorder that had so fearfully thinned the -- 's complement . His distress increased every moment -- he earnestly begged for a draught of water , but in vain , and before daylight he became insensible . In due time all hands were called ; the resurrection-men commenced their examination , and receiving no intelligible reply to a sound kick upon our hero 's ribs , the ship 's corporal laid hold of him by the heels , and dragged him into the gangway , where the two functionaries declared him `` dead enough to bury , '' and forthwith reported progress to that effect to the lieutenant of the morning watch . `` Very well , '' said the officer .