six o'clock
A rudder hung outside by the stern . With all this gear , although snugly stowed , a boat looked so loaded that I could not help wondering how six men would be able to work in her ; but like most `` deep-water '' sailors , I knew very little about boating . I was going to learn . All this work and bustle of preparation was so rapidly carried on , and so interesting , that before supper-time everything was in readiness to commence operations , the time having gone so swiftly that I could hardly believe the bell when it sounded four times , six o'clock . During all the bustle of warlike preparation that had been going on , the greenhorns had not suffered from inattention on the part of those appointed to look after them . Happily for them , the wind blew steadily , and the weather , thanks to the balmy influence of the Gulf Stream , was quite mild and genial . The ship was undoubtedly lively , as all good sea-boats are , but her motions were by no means so detestable to a sea-sick man as those of a driving steamer .