eight o'clock
`` Why , I requested him to masthead you ! '' `` Many thanks , sir , for your kindness , '' replied the youngster , touching his hat . Pearce , who was annoyed that his request should not have been complied with , stated his feelings on the subject to Price , when he returned to the ship in the evening . Price declared that he had sent Prose to the masthead , and had not called him down until eight o'clock . The affair was thus explained , and Jerry was pardoned for the ingenuity of his _ ruse de guerre _ , while all the comfort that was received by the unfortunate Prose , was being informed , on the ensuing morning , that it was all a mistake . The prize being now ready , Captain M -- desired Courtenay to take charge of it , and select two of the midshipmen to accompany him . His choice fell upon Seymour and Jerry : the latter being selected rather for his own amusement , than for his qualities as an officer .