midnight
But his admonition happened to be somewhat unseasonable . Trunnion no sooner heard him mention the cause of her disorder , than his morosity recurring , he burst out into a violent fit of cursing , and forthwith betook himself again to his hammock , where he lay , uttering , in a low growling tone of voice , a repetition of oaths and imprecations , for the space of four-and-twenty hours , without ceasing . This was a delicious meal to the lieutenant , who , eager to enhance the pleasure of the entertainment , and at the same the conduce to the success of the cause he had espoused , invented a stratagem , the execution of which had all the effect he could desire . He prevailed on Pipes , who was devoted to his service , to get on the top of the chimney , belonging to the commodore 's chamber , at midnight , and lower down by a rope a bunch of stinking whitings , which being performed , he put a speaking-trumpet to his mouth , and hallooed down the vent , in a voice like thunder , `` Trunnion ! Trunnion ! turn out and be spliced , or lie still and be d -- . '' This dreadful note , the terror of which was increased by the silence and darkness of the night , as well as the cello of the passage through which it was conveyed , no sooner reached the ears of the astonished commodore , than turning his eyes towards the place from whence this solemn address seemed to proceed , he beheld a glittering object that vanished in an instant .