ten o’clock
I believe they did it just to lull us into a sense of security . As soon as the skipper turns in for the night I will get the guns quietly loaded , and you and I will keep watch , while I will order the crew to turn in all standing , so as to be ready to tumble out at once . It is mighty hard to keep awake on these soft nights when the anchor is down , and with neither you nor I on deck the betting is two to one that the hands on anchor watch will drop off to sleep . The skipper will be snoring by ten o'clock , and you had better turn in now . I will see to getting the guns loaded , and to having plenty of ammunition handy . I will call you at four bells . If we are going to be attacked it is likely to be just as day is breaking . '