nine o'clock
Then the young man submitted , more or less , to the strange influence which a fine craft almost invariably obtains over those that belong to her . He did not like the idea of deserting the Swash , at the very moment he would not have hesitated about punishing her owner for his many misdeeds . In a word , Harry was too much of a tar not to feel a deep reluctance to turn against his cruise , or his voyage , however much either might be condemned by his judgment , or even by his principles . It was quite nine o'clock when the Se ¤ or Montefalderon and Spike returned from burying the dead . No sooner did the last put his foot on the deck of his own vessel , than he felt the fall of one of the purchases which had been employed in raising the schooner . It was so far slack as to satisfy him that the latter now floated by her own buoyancy , though it might be well to let all stand until morning , for the purposes of security . Thus apprised of the condition of the two vessels , he gave the welcome order to `` knock off for the night . ''