midnight
`` Yes , '' replied one of the forecastle men , `` we all know dog is a dog , but the question is -- is _ this _ dog a dog ? '' Here there was a pause , which Jemmy Ducks filled up by again touching the strings of his fiddle . The fact was , that , although every one of the sailors wished the dog was overboard , there was not one who wished to commit the deed , not on account of the fear of its being discovered who was the party by Mr Vanslyperken , but because there was a great deal of superstition among them . It was considered unlucky to throw any dog or animal overboard ; but the strange stories told about the way in which Snarleyyow first made his appearance in the vessel , added to the peculiarly diabolical temper of the animal , had often been the theme of midnight conversation , and many of them were convinced that it was an imp of Satan lent to Vanslyperken , and that to injure or to attempt to destroy it would infallibly be followed up with terrible consequences to the party , if not to the vessel and all the crew . Even Short , Coble , and Jansen , who were the boldest and leading men , although when their sympathies were roused by the suffering of poor Smallbones they were anxious to revenge him , had their own misgivings , and , on consideration , did not like to have anything to do with the business . But each of them kept their reflections to themselves , for , if they could not combat , they were too proud to acknowledge them . The reader will observe that all their plans were immediately put an end to until this important question , and not a little difficult one , was decided -- Was the dog a dog ?