four a.m.
That greasy , filmy haze was again drawn over the clear blue of the sky , and the light scud began to fly overhead at an alarmingly rapid rate . So at four bells I called him again . He came on deck at once , and after one look round ordered the hands up to man the windlass . By eight bells -LRB- four a.m. -RRB- we were rounding the frowning rocks at the entrance of Port William , and threading our way between the closely-set , kelp-hidden dangers as if it were broadest , dearest daylight . At 4.30 we let go the anchor again , and all hands , except the regular `` anchor-watch , '' bolted below to their bunks again like so many rabbits . It was very comfortable , cutting-in a sperm whale in harbour , after the dire difficulty of performing the same operation in a seaway . And , although it may seem strange , this was the first occasion that voyage that I had had a really good opportunity of closely studying the whale 's anatomy .