midnight
Ten sen was equivalent to six American cents , while his shirt , which was of good quality and was new , had cost him two dollars . He turned his back on the man without a word , and went out to the end of the pier , the crowd , laughing with great gusto , following at his heels . The majority of them were heavy-set , muscular fellows , and the July night being one of sweltering heat , they were clad in the least possible raiment . The water-people of any race are rough and turbulent , and it struck Alf that to be out at midnight on a pier-end with such a crowd of wharfmen , in a big Japanese city , was not as safe as it might be . One burly fellow , with a shock of black hair and ferocious eyes , came up . The rest shoved in after him to take part in the discussion . `` Give me shoes , '' the man said .