nine o'clock
But the captain would not let him linger or speak . He helped him on with his coat and hat , and , with a slap on the back , literally pushed him out into the yard . Then he turned on his heel and striding again through the kitchen reëntered the spare stateroom and closed the door behind him . Judah shouted something about its being `` not much more 'n two bells '' -- meaning nine o'clock -- but he received no answer . Judah did not retire until nearly eleven that night , but when , at last , he did go to his own room , there was a light still shining under the door of the spare stateroom and he could hear the captain 's footsteps moving back and forth , back and forth , within . For two hours he had so heard them . Obviously the `` old man '' was pacing the deck , a pretty sure sign of rough weather present or expected .