midnight
For many months Hawkhurst , who detested the youth , had been most earnest that he should be sent out of the schooner . Now he pressed the captain for his removal in any way , as necessary for their mutual safety , pointing out to Cain the conduct of the Kroumen , and his fears that a large proportion of the ship 's company were equally disaffected . Cain felt the truth of Hawkhurst 's representation , and he went down to his cabin to consider upon what should be done . It was past midnight when Cain , worn out with the conflicting passions of the day , fell into an uneasy slumber . His dreams were of Francisco 's mother -- she appeared to him pleading for her son , and Cain ` babbled in his sleep . ' At this time Francisco , with Pompey , had softly crawled aft , that they might obtain , if they found the captain asleep , the pistols of Francisco , with some ammunition . Pompey slipped in first , and started back when he heard the captain 's voice .