four in the afternoon
I will take one of the midshipmen with me , either Mr. Parkhurst or Mr. Balderson ; if the worst came to the worst and one of the men were hit , he could man his oar , or , if I were myself badly wounded , could take the command . I think it is Balderson 's turn for boat duty . '' `` Either of them will do , '' the captain said ; `` they are both strong , active lads , and as steady as you can expect lads to be . '' Accordingly , at four in the afternoon the captain 's gig was lowered . As the rule was that all men on boat duty should go armed no surprise had been excited when the order was given for the men to take their muskets and cutlasses , though , when an extra supply of ammunition and a brace of pistols were served out to each , they thought that something unusual was in the wind , and there was a grin on the men 's faces when a hamper of provisions was placed in the bow of the boat . Dick was in a state of high but suppressed delight when informed by the first lieutenant that he was to accompany him on a boat expedition , and that he had better take his cloak with him , as they might be out all night . `` You can take your pistols with you , Mr. Balderson ; it is not likely that they will be wanted , but it is as well to carry them . ''