six o’clock in the morning
Macbeth , Vi .59 . The second and acting third-lieutenants were on board the prizes -- the purser was busy in his vocation -- the doctor ditto Indeed , he and his mates had more on their hands than they could well manage . The first lieutenant was engaged on deck , and the master was in his cot , suffering from a severe contusion ; so when got on board the corvette , and dived into the gunroom in search ol some crumbs of comfort , the deuce a living soul was there to welcome me , except the gunroom steward , who speedily produced some cold meat , and asked me if I would take a glass of swizzle . The food I had no great fancy to , although I had not tasted a morsel since six o'clock in the morning , and it was now eight in the evening ; but the offer of the grog sounded gratefully in mine ear , and I was about tackling to a stout rummer of the same , when a smart dandified shaver , with gay mother-of-pearl buttons on his jacket , as thick set as peas , presented his tallow chops at the door . `` Captain Transom desires me to say , that he will be glad of your company in the cabin , Mr Cringle . '' `` My compliments -- I will wait on him so soon as I have had a snack . We have had no dinner in the gunroom to-day yet , you know , Mafame . ''