noon
Their hearts were never in the work , and they often dreamed of escape from this life of slavery . Fernando , by judicious attention to business , had never yet won the positive displeasure of the officers . One day the boatswain 's mates repeated the commands at the hatchways : `` All hands tack ship , ahoy ! '' It was just eight bells , noon , and , springing from his jacket , which he had spread between the guns for a bed on the main deck , Fernando ran up the ladders , and , as usual , seized hold of the main-brace which fifty hands were streaming along forward . When `` maintopsail haul ! '' was given through the trumpet , he pulled at this brace with such heartiness and good will , that he flattered himself he would gain the approval of the grim captain himself ; but something happened to be in the way aloft , when the yards swung round , and a little confusion ensued . With anger on his brow .