about
ten o'clock
I gave a history of my adventures to the officers , leaving them , however , to suppose that I had never been to Chatham , but had gone up to London in the merchant vessel . Pearson , the boatswain 's mate , came to make inquiries about his wife ; and , soon after , Bob Cross came on board with the captain 's orders , that I should go on shore to him in the gig on the following morning . I wished very much to consult Bob Cross previous to my seeing the captain . I told him so , and he agreed to meet me on the gangway about ten o'clock , as by that time the officers would be almost all in bed , and there would be less chance of interruption . It was a fine , clear night , and as soon as we found ourselves alone I narrated to him , in a low voice , all that had taken place , and gave him the contents of the letter which I had taken possession of . I then asked him what he thought I ought to do , now that I was certain of being the son of the captain . `` Why , Master Keene , you have done it very cleverly , that 's the truth ; and that letter , which is as good as a certificate from Captain Delmar , must be taken great care of .