ten o'clock
The _ Nelson _ behaved herself admirably , and took to her new gear with excellent grace . All was going merrily as a marriage bell . They did not now run very much risk of cruisers , as Fritz had French papers perfectly _ en regle _ , and Captain Littlestone would have had little difficulty to prove his identity ; besides , the speed of the _ Nelson _ was sufficient to secure their safety in cases where danger was to be apprehended . One night , about four bells -LRB- ten o'clock -RRB- , when Willis was lazily lolling in his hammock , doubtless ruminating on his newly-acquired dignity , his cabin-door gradually opened , and the captain entered . Willis stared at first , thinking he might have something important to communicate , but he only muttered something about a cloud gathering in the west . This was too much for Willis ; it resembled his former meditations so vividly , that he leaped out of his hammock , seized Littlestone by the collar , and called loudly for Fritz and Jack . `` It is not very respectfull , captain , to handle you in this way ; but the case is urgent , and I should like to have the mystery cleared up . ''