About
five o'clock
It appeared to me that the sailors had rather a difficult point to settle . They had three claimants upon them , the _ Jew _ for clothes , the bumboat men for their mess in harbour , and their wives for their support during their absence ; and the money which they received was , generally speaking , not more than sufficient to meet one of the demands . As it may be supposed , the women had the best of it ; the others were paid a trifle , and promised the remainder when they came back from their cruise . About five o'clock , the orders were given for the ship to be cleared . All disputed points were settled by the sergeant of marines with a party , who divided their antagonists from the Jews ; and every description of persons not belonging to the ship , whether male or female , was dismissed over the side . The hammocks were piped down , those who were intoxicated were put to bed , and the ship was once more quiet . The next day everything was prepared for sea , and no leave was permitted to the officers .