eight o'clock
This was at some little distance on our port beam ; otherwise , all was quiet and peaceful ; and though I stared into the water , I could make out no vestige of that great shadow ship , down in the sea . It was some little time after six bells that the order came for all hands to shorten sail for the night . We took in the royals and t ` gallants , and then the three courses . It was shortly after this , that a rumour went round the ship that there was to be no look-out that night after eight o'clock . This naturally created a good deal of talk among the men ; especially as the yarn went that the fo ` cas ` le doors were to be shut and fastened as soon as it was dark , and that no one was to be allowed on deck . '' ` oo 's goin ' ter take ther wheel ? '' I heard Plummer ask .