ten o'clock
Christy hurried to the deck as soon as he had made the change , and met the commander on the quarter-deck . Lookouts were stationed aloft and on the top-gallant forecastle , and all hands were in a state of healthy excitement in view of the stirring event which was likely to transpire before the lapse of many hours ; and doubtless some of the men were moved by the prospect of prize-money , not only from the proceeds of the sale of the steamer they were chasing , but from the full freight of cotton on board of the schooner , the deck load of which had been noted by some of the crew . The schooner which had come so close aboard of the Bellevite was a mystery to all , from the captain down to the humblest seaman ; but the American ensign over the Confederate flag had been observed by a few , and this settled her status . Not more than half of the seamen were aware that an expedition had left the ship at ten o'clock the evening before , and they had had no opportunity to notice the absence of the executive officer during the night ; and even yet all hands had not been called , for the regular watch was enough to get the ship under way . The commander conducted the executive officer to his own cabin , again reminding Mr. Ballard to keep a sharp lookout for the chase . Christy felt like himself again in his neat uniform , and his vigorous and well knit , as well as graceful form , did more to show off the dress than the dress did to adorn his person . `` I am very glad to see you again , Christy , '' said Captain Breaker , seating himself and pointing to an arm-chair for the lieutenant , while he came down from the stately dignity of the commander of a man-of-war to the familiarity with which he treated his chief officer when they were alone .