midnight
Not long after his return , he entered in the United States service , and it was then , that I first saw him . He was made captain of the main-top before sailing , and I was , myself , shortly after , stationed in the main-top likewise . On the passage out to the Pacific , and when nearly in the latitude of Cape Horn , we , that is to say , a midshipman , Old Cuff , and thirteen men , were all very comfortably asleep in the main-top , the weather being remarkably mild for that high latitude . It was the middle watch , from midnight to four in the morning ; Cuff was lying athwart-ships , or cross-wise of the top , and near the fore part of it , where there were no topsail nor topmast-shrouds to prevent a fall . There was , indeed , a `` life-line '' from the first topmast-shroud , on each side , to the cap-shore amidships , but it was breast high , and of course afforded no security to a man who was lying down . My head was pillowed upon Old Cuff 's side , the midshipman 's head was on my breast , and the rest of my earthly tabernacle was occupied as a bolster by as many of the quarter watch as could get near me . About two o'clock , I was suddenly awoke by the abduction of my living pillow , and the consequent collision of my head against one of the top burton-blocks .