three o'clock in the
    afternoon
With this view , he entered the room in a peal of clamour , to the amazement of all present , and the terror of Mrs. Trunnion , who shrieked at the appearance of such a spectacle ; and addressing himself to the commodore , `` I 'll tell you what , sir , '' said he ; `` if there be law in England , I 'll make you smart for this here assault . '' You think you have screened yourself from a prosecution by sending all your servants out of the way ; but that circumstance will appear upon trial to be a plain proof of the malice prepense with which the fact was committed ; especially when corroborated by the evidence of this here letter , under your own hand , whereby I am desired to come to your own house to transact an affair of consequence . So he produced the writing , and read the contents in these words : -- `` Mr. Roger Ravine . Sir , -- Being in a manner prisoner in my own house , I desire you will give me a call precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon , and insist upon seeing myself , as I have an affair of great consequence , in which your particular advice is wanted by your humble servant , `` Hawser Trunnion . '' The one-eyed commander , who had been satisfied with the chastisement he had already bestowed upon the plaintiff , hearing him read this audacious piece of forgery , which he considered as the effect of his own villainy , started up from table , and seizing a huge turkey that lay in a dish before him , would have applied it , sauce and all , by way of poultice , to his wound , had he not been restrained by Hatchway , who laid fast hold on both his arms , and fixed him to his chair again , advising the attorney to sheer off with what he had got . Far from following this salutary counsel , he redoubled his threats : set Trunnion at defiance , telling him he not a man of true courage , although he had commanded a ship of war , or else he would not have attacked any person in such a cowardly and clandestine manner . This provocation would have answered his purpose effectually , had not his adversary 's indignation been repressed by the suggestions of the lieutenant , who desired his friend , in a whisper , to be easy , for he would take care to have the attorney tossed in a blanket for his presumption .