eleven o'clock
As the sun sank , the waves rose . By the time the first night watch went on duty , the old steamer was tossing like a chip . The guns ' crews of the watch on deck were ordered to sleep by their posts , and all was in readiness for instant action . At eleven o'clock we were roused by the call for `` general quarters , '' and in a minute , all hands were in their places . We looked vainly , at first , for the cause of this commotion , but finally made out off our port bow the dim outlines of a steamer . It was only when our ship was on the top of the roll that we could make out our chase at all -- nothing but a wall of water could be seen when we lay in the trough . `` That boat is certainly doing her best to get away , '' said `` Bill . ''