Midnight
To our satisfaction we found that we had as many as we had expected , who all swore to protect us with their lives from the mutineers . Before the expected moment all our arrangements had been made . The sea was calm , a gentle breeze filled the sails , and the ship glided on , leaving a long trail of bright light astern . Midnight came , when the captain 's voice was heard , summoning all hands on deck to shorten sail . The crew , supposing that the ship was about to be struck by one of those white squalls which sometimes come on with fearful suddenness in the Mediterranean and lay over many a stout ship , hurried up from below , and instinctively sprang aloft . The boatswain having remained on deck , Dick and I , with two men we called to our aid , rushed forward , and seizing him dragged him aft . This being done , the captain shouted -- `` The squall will not strike us , lads ; let fall the canvas and haul aft the sheets . ''