7:30 a.m.
We had , of course , our lights in their places , and brightly burning ; but we were so frequently hidden in the trough of the sea that a very bright lookout would be needed to discover us in time to avoid a collision , which was then , as it is now , the thing I most dread at sea -- excepting fire . It seems needless to say that a bright lookout was kept on board the `` Vigilant '' that night ; a man on each cat-head , two in the waist -- one on the weather and one on the lee side -- and our two selves aft were kept constantly on the alert ; and with these precautions I was obliged to rest satisfied . As it happened , our elaborate precautions proved unnecessary , for not a single sail passed us during the night ; and at four o'clock next morning , when the watch was relieved , I went below and turned in , as the sky appeared to be lightening up a trifle , and I knew that it would be daylight in a short time . When I went on deck again at seven bells -LRB- 7:30 a.m. -RRB- things looked pretty much as I had left them , excepting that the sea had continued to get up and was now running higher than I had ever seen it before . Our little craft was tossed about on its angry surface lightly as a withered leaf ; now rising up as though about to take flight into the midst of the rushing storm-wrack overhead , and anon plunging down the steep sides of the watery hills as though intent on reaching the very ocean 's bed itself . It was very exciting , as well , it must be confessed , as somewhat trying to the nerves , to stand on the deck and watch the approach of the mountainous seas , rushing with threatening upreared crest upon the little craft , as though determined to engulf her . But , by watchful attention to the helm , her bows always met them at a safe angle , and away they would sweep past us , harmless , but hissing and seething in impotent fury .