About two o'clock in the morning
There certainly is a peculiar providence in favour of midshipmen compared with the rest of mankind ; they have more lives than a cat -- always in the greatest danger , but always escaping from it . The padrone of the vessel had been captivated with the doubloons which Jack had so foolishly exposed to his view , and he had , moreover , resolved to obtain them . At the very time that our two lads were conversing aft , the padrone was talking the matter over with his two men forward , and it was agreed that they should murder , rifle , and then throw them overboard . About two o'clock in the morning , the padrone came aft to see if they were asleep , but found Gascoigne watching . He returned aft again and again ; but found the young man still sitting up . Tired of waiting , anxious to possess the money , and supposing that the lads were armed , he went once more forward and spoke to the men . Gascoigne had watched his motions ; he thought it singular that , with three men in the vessel , the helm should be confided to the boy -- and at last he saw them draw their knives .