midnight
This was a large quantity , yet not too large , I decided , considering the uncertainties of our position ; I therefore emptied a case -- which , apart from its contents , was fairly heavy to drag up on deck -- carried it up to the boat , stowed it in position , and then returned for the small tin cases . The transport and stowage of these occupied some time , involving several journeys up and down between the deck and the magazine , and when I had finished this job I was distinctly tired . Nevertheless I brought up six Remingtons , a cutlass , a brace of automatic pistols , and a box of cartridges for the latter , and stowed them all in the boat before knocking off for a rest . The work had given me an appetite , and since it was now close upon midnight , I went below and routed out a good substantial cold meal , which I consumed while I rested . Then -- why attempt to conceal the truth ? -- overcome , I suppose , by my unusual and protracted exertions , I fell asleep as I sat . I remember that as I slept I dreamed that we were away back there at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca , where we lost the blades of our propeller .