ten
o'clock at night
Weymouth during the war did a brisk trade , and was a favorite rendezvous of privateers , who preferred it greatly to Portsmouth or Plymouth , where the risk of their men being pressed to make up the quota of some man-of-war just fitted out was very great . The sailors were rather silent and sulky , at first at the cruise on land being nearly over , but after getting off the coach where it changed horses they recovered their spirits , and amused Ralph greatly with their talk about the various prizes they had taken , and one or two sharp brashes with French privateers . Toward evening they became rather hilarious , but for the last two hours dozed quietly ; the man sitting next to Ralph lurching against him heavily in his sleep , and swearing loudly when the boy stuck his elbow into his ribs to relieve himself of the weight . Ralph was not sorry , therefore , when at ten o'clock at night the coach arrived at Weymouth . The landlord and servants came out with lanterns to help the passengers to alight , and the former , as Ralph climbed down the side into the circle of light , asked : `` Are you Master Conway ? '' `` That 's my name , '' Ralph replied . `` A bed has been taken for you , sir , and a trap will be over here at nine o'clock in the morning to take you to Penfold Hall . ''