three in the afternoon
The jibboom had been run out , and the stays set up . The stock of fresh water had been examined and found plentiful , and the casks in the head brought out and secured on the main deck . In short , the American boatswain had worked with the judgment and care of a master-rigger , of a great artist in ropes , booms , and sails , and the schooner was left to my hands as fit for any navigation as the whaler that rose and fell on our quarter . But , as I have said , at half-past three in the afternoon , the breeze began to sit in dark curls upon the water , and there was evidence enough in the haziness in the west , and in the loom of the shoulders of vapour in the dark-blue obscure there , to warrant a sackful for this capful presently . `` I reckon , '' says the captain to me , after looking into the west , `` that we 'd best knock off now . There 's snow and wind yonder , and we 'd better see all snug while there 's time . '' He called to one of the men to tell the second mate to come up from below and get the hatches on , and bringing me to the rail , he pointed to a boat , and asked if that would do ?