five minutes after ten
The look-out on the forecastle head was not visible in the darkness , but Mr. Reardon was not worried about that . `` For why , '' he argued to himself , `` should I go lookin ' for the skut whin if I wait a bit he 'll come fluttherin ' into me hand ? '' He did . At five minutes after ten Mr. Schultz hailed the look-out in German , and although Mr. Reardon spoke no German , yet did he understand that order . Mr. Schultz , a victim of habit , desired the look-out to go to the galley and bring up some hot coffee for him and the helmsman . It was the custom aboard the _ Narcissus _ , as it is in most Pacific Coast boats , for the cook , just before retiring , to brew a pot of coffee , drain off the grounds and leave it to simmer on the galley range where , at intervals of two hours during the night , the watch could come and help itself . Terence Reardon knew that the look-out , after heating the coffee and bringing a few cups up on the bridge , would return to the galley and partake of a cup and a bite himself .