five in the evening
My voluntary slavery was over , and I was emancipated . Where was I then ? I recollect ; within two days ' sail of the Lizard , returning home , after a six weeks ' cruise to discover a rock in the Atlantic , which never existed except in the terrified or intoxicated noddle of some master of a merchant vessel . It was about half-past five in the evening , and I was alone in my after-cabin , quite alone , as the captain of a man-of-war must be , even when in presence of his ship 's company . If being sent to sea has been pronounced by the officers and men to be _ transportation _ , being the captain of the ship may truly be designated as _ solitary confinement _ . I could not send for any one to whom I could impart the intelligence -- there was no one whom I could expect to sympathise with me , or to whom I could pour out the abundance of my joy ; for that the service prohibited . What could I do ?