midnight
If it is n't -- '' He shrugged his shoulders . I had never liked the man , and his tacit acknowledgment that he might incriminate himself made me eye him with shuddering distaste . But I took down his story , and reproduce it here , minus the technicalities and profanity with which it was interlarded . Briefly , Singleton 's watch began at midnight . The captain , who had been complaining of lumbago , had had the cook prepare him a mustard poultice , and had retired early . Burns was on watch from eight to twelve , and , on coming into the forward house at a quarter after eleven o'clock to eat his night lunch , reported to Singleton that the captain was in bed and that Mr. Turner had been asking for him . Singleton , therefore , took his cap and went on deck .