midnight
As the hour grew late , only the watch on deck , together with the officer in charge , remained above ; that is except Ralph , who found everything interesting . The first mate was in his berth , and the captain writing in the cabin . Mr. Duff was walking to and fro near the wheel , while in the forecastle the major part of the crew were in their bunks . It might have been near midnight . Ralph , having seated himself on the step between the quarter and the main decks , had at last fallen into a doze , with his head against the bulwarks . Captain Gary came up , cast a look about and then consulted his watch . `` We might as well make sail , Mr. Duff , '' said he in a low tone .