midnight
To be sure , Risk and the elder Davies occupied a luxurious couch of robes and blankets in the little parlor , and a huge settle before the kitchen stove opened its alluring recesses to Ben and his man Friday , while one of the elder sons and Black Bill shared with Kennedy and La Salle the largest of the upper rooms . In later years , the question of where the eight others slept , has attained a prominent place among the unsolved mysteries of life ; but at that time all were tired enough to be content with knowing that they could sleep soundly , at all events . Few have ever passed from port to port of the great Gulf , without meeting , or at least hearing , of `` Captain Tom Lund , '' known as the most skilful pilot on the coast . `` Alike to him was tide or time , Moonless midnight or matin 's prime . '' And when his skill could not make a desired haven , or tide over a threatened danger , the mariners of the Gulf deemed the case hopeless indeed . Every winter , however , the swift Princess lay in icy bonds , beside the deserted wharves , and the veteran pilot went home to his farm , his little house with its brood of children , his shaggy horses , Highland cows , and long-bodied sheep , and became as earnest a farmer as if he had never turned a vanishing furrow on the scarless bosom of the ocean . Always pleasant , anxious to oblige , careful of the safety of his guests , and with a seaman 's love of the wonderful and marvellous , he played the host to general satisfaction , and in the matter of charges set an example of moderation such as is seldom imitated in this selfish and mercenary world .