four o'clock
It was getting on toward eight o'clock , and while the cook was dishing the breakfast mess for the crew beneath an awning forward of the quarter-deck , the captain came up from his cabin below . The stalwart old seaman stepped to the bulwarks , and , shading his eyes with his hand from the glare , he took a broad glance over the water to seaward , nodded to the mate , and said , in a cheerful voice , `` Dull times , matey ! No signs of a breeze yet , eh ? '' `` No , captain , '' said Mr. Binks ; `` dead as ditch water ; not been enough air to lift a feather since you went below at four o'clock . But we have sagged inshore by the current a few leagues during the night , and here 's old Jamaica plain in sight broad off the bow . '' `` Well , it 's not so bad after all , a forty-four days ' passage -- so I 'll tell my Lady Bird passenger . '' Going to the latticed door of the deck cabin , the jolly skipper threw it wide open , clapped his hands together thrice , and then , placing them to his mouth like a speaking-trumpet , he bellowed out , in a deep , low roar , `` Heave out there , all hands !