midnight
The face of the Mary Ann 's captain began to clear , and , as Bing proceeded from generalities to details , a soft smile played over his expressive features . It was reflected in the faces of the mates , who by these means showed clearly that they understood the table was to be laid for four . At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled , and a little while later a ship 's boat containing four boon companions put off from the Mary Ann and made for the shore . Of what afterwards ensued there is no distinct record , beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the quartette turned up at midnight arm-in-arm , and affectionately refused to be separated -- even to enter the ship 's boat , which was waiting for them . The sailors were at first rather nonplussed , but by dint of much coaxing and argument broke up the party , and rowing them to their respective vessels , put them carefully to bed . A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo ` c ` sle of the schooner Greyhound , by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar . Two other men were snoring with deep content in their bunks , while a small , bright-eyed boy sat up in his , reading adventurous fiction .