midnight
This occurred about a couple of years before the time we are speaking of , and since then Ralph had heard nothing of Dick Bracewell . No sailor takes long to dress . Ralph was quickly ready , and a fine young fellow he looked as he stepped back into the cabin habited in what the old captain called his `` shore-going toggery . '' Promising to be on board again before midnight , he jumped into a boat which had just come alongside , and told the waterman to pull for the landing-place . `` You must keep a sharp look-out not to fall in with the press-gangs , master , '' observed the latter . `` They are out every night , and are in no ways particular on whom they lay hands . '' `` Thank you , '' answered Ralph ; `` I 've no cause to fear them , and am not going where they are likely to be looking for their prey . ''