about seven o'clock
I ate but little supper that night , my mind being so engrossed upon that which I had undertaken to do . We lay about half a mile from the shore , the water in the bay being very calm and still . I had procured four large calabash gourds , with which I had made shift to rig up a very decent float or life-preserver , for I had need of some such aid in my expedition , not being a very expert swimmer . In all this time I had said nothing to Captain Croker , nor he to me ; but about seven o'clock , it being at that time pretty dark , he came to me where I stood by the rail of the poop-deck . `` Jack , '' said he , in a low voice , `` are you still in the mind for carrying this thing through ? '' `` Yes , I am , '' I said . `` To-night ? ''