about three o'clock in the morning
I liked my captain and officers very much , and what was better , we took some good prizes . But somehow or other , I never had the luck to remain long in one ship , and that by no fault of mine ; at least not in this instance . All went on as smooth as possible , until one day , the captain took us on shore to a ball , at one of the peaceable districts . We had a very merry night of it ; but as luck would have it , I had the morning watch to keep , and see the decks cleaned , and , as I never neglected my duty , I set off about three o'clock in the morning , just at break of day , to go on board of the ship . I was walking along the sands , thinking of the pretty girl I 'd been dancing with , and had got about half-way to the ship , when three rapparees of Spanish soldiers come from behind a rock , and attacked me with their swords and bayonets . I had only my dirk , but I was not to be run through for nothing , so I fought them as long as I could , I finished one fellow , but at last they finished me ; for a bayonet passed through my body , and I forgot all about it . Well , it appears -- for I can only say to the best of my knowledge and belief -- that after they had killed me , they stripped me naked and buried me in the sand , carrying away with them the body of their comrade .