midnight
`` Yez , massa ossifer , berry right , '' answered the black , with a grin . `` You can lie down , Needham , and be ready to keep watch with Mr Norris , '' said Higson . `` If there is n't another nigger to relieve Sambo you can take the helm , and as the weather promises to hold fine we shall do very well . '' In less than a minute Dick was asleep with a sail over his head , and Higson paced the deck till past midnight . He then roused up Needham , and sent him down to call Norris . Tom also awaking sprang on deck . As soon as Higson had turned in , Sambo declared that he could no longer stand at the helm , and Needham taking it the black dived into the forepeak .