ten o'clock
It was past twelve by the time they reached Wapping , but the watchman was wide awake and , with much bustle , helped them to berth their craft . He received the news of the skipper 's untimely end with well-bred sorrow , and at once excited the wrath of the sensitive Joe by saying that he was not surprised . `` I ` ad a warning , '' he said solemnly , in reply to the indignant seaman . `` Larst night exactly as Big Ben struck ten o'clock the gate-bell was pulled three times . '' `` I 've pulled it fifty times myself before now , '' said Joe , scathingly , `` and then had to climb over the gate and wake you up . '' `` I went to the gate at once , '' continued George , addressing himself to the cook ; `` sometimes when I 'm shifting a barge , or doing any little job o ' that sort , I do ` ave to keep a man waiting , and , if he 's drunk , two minutes seems like ages to ` im . '' `` You ought to know wot it seems like , '' muttered Joe .