four to eight in the afternoon
`` Just so , my lad ; but to-morrow night the order of the watches will be reversed . Give me your attention for a moment , and I will explain the matter . Continuing from the point where I left off , the starboard watch will be on duty from eight to twelve ; the larboard from twelve to four ; when the starboard will come on deck ; but -- '' `` That will bring things just as they were the preceding night , and the starboard watch will be on duty eight hours , as before , '' interrupted Edward , thinking he had caught the captain this time . `` To avoid this difficulty , the watch from four to eight in the afternoon is divided into two , called the _ dog-watches _ . '' `` That makes it all right . '' At this moment , Captain Briskett , who had gone forward for the purpose , struck the bell eight times . `` Eight bells !