midnight
`` Then tell Williamson , and have him pass the word on to Eph , that watch ought to be very strictly kept , '' answered the young captain . A few minutes Benson remained on deck , chatting with his chum . When he at last went below the submarine captain lost little time getting into his berth . When Machinist Williamson came on deck at midnight a light wind was blowing , but the air was not really chilly . In his heavy reefer the machinist felt wholly comfortable after he had lighted his pipe and started his slow walk back and forth along the deck . There did not appear to be overmuch sense in keeping this deck watch . Only a short distance away lay the United States gunboat `` Waverly , '' with her alert marine guard .