ten o'clock
The fight , or set-to , lasted only a quarter of an hour , and the young supernumerary displayed so much science , and such a thorough use of his fists , as to defy the brutal force of his opponent , who could not touch him , and who was glad to retreat to his berth , followed by the groans and hisses of all the midshipmen , in which I most cordially joined . After so clear a proof of the advantages of the science of self-defence , I determined to acquire it ; and , with the young stranger for my tutor , I soon became a proficient in the art of boxing , and able to cope with Murphy and his supporters . There was a part of my duty which , I am free to confess , I hated : this was keeping watch at night . I loved sleep , and , after ten o'clock , I could not keep my eyes open . Neither the buckets of water which were so liberally poured over me by the midshipmen , under the facetious appellation of `` blowing the grampus , '' nor any expostulation or punishments inflicted on me by the first lieutenant could rouse my _ dormant _ energies after the first half of the watch was expired . I was one of the most determined votaries of Somnus ; and for his sake , endured every sort of persecution . The first lieutenant took me into his watch , and tried every means , both of mildness and coercion , to break me of this evil habit .