six
o'clock in the evening
Unfortunately , the second-mate was an old sea-dog , who owed his present inferior condition to his being a great deal addicted to the practice in which his captain indulged only a little , and he had been sharing largely in the hospitality of the cabin that afternoon , it being his watch below . This man supported the captain in his contempt for the rumours and notions of the crew , and between them Mark found himself silenced . Our young officer felt very uneasy at the account of the sailor who had reported white water ahead , for he was one of the best men in the ship , and altogether unlikely to say that which was not true . It being now six o'clock in the evening , and the second-mate having taken charge of the watch , Mark went up into the fore-top-gallant cross-trees himself , in order to get the best look ahead that he could before the night set in . It wanted but half an hour , or so of sunset , when the young man took his station in the cross-trees , the royal not being set . At first , he could discern nothing ahead , at a distance greater than a mile , on account of the mist ; but , just as the sun went below the waters it lighted up to the westward , and Mark then plainly saw what he was perfectly satisfied must be breakers , extending for several miles directly across the vessel 's track ! Such a discovery required decision , and the young man shouted out -- `` Breakers ahead ! ''