midday
Everything was changed , and at first hardly an officer knew where he belonged , or what his duty was . Confusion reigned on board the ship and her consort , while the students were finding and preparing their new berths . Happily , the changes were all made before dinner time , and everything settled down into its wonted order and regularity . After the midday meal was served , all hands were piped to muster , in order that the officers and seamen might be exercised in their new situations . The details of sea duty were well understood by all . Those alone who had been promoted from the steerage to the after cabin were in the dark in regard to their duty , though in these instances the parties had a general idea of what was required of them . But it was necessary to have the crew ready to work together , for the seaman who had hauled on the weather-brace in tacking was now an officer , and the stations of many were new and strange to them .