eight o'clock
Everything was going well on deck , and Mr. Pennant had proved that he was a competent officer . By this time the commander began to feel that sleep was a necessity for him , for he had hardly rested at all the night before , and he turned in at two bells . He dropped asleep almost instantly , and did not wake till he heard eight bells in the morning . It was quite light in his stateroom , and he realized that it was eight o'clock , instead of four , as he at first supposed . Dressing himself hastily , Christy hastened on deck , and to the bridge , where he found Mr. Flint , who informed him that the Bronx was off the South Pass of the Mississippi . The fleet of the flag-officer of the Western Gulf squadron had gone up the river , with the exception of a single vessel , which had not been able to get over the bar . There were a few sail in sight .