midnight
Moss was also spread on the deck , and above it the snow was allowed to gather , for snow , although so cold itself , keeps things that it covers warm , by not permitting the heat to escape . The brig was banked up all round with snow , and a regular snowy staircase was built from the ice to her bulwarks . They changed their time , now , from what is called sea-time to that which we follow on land . That is to say , they reckoned the day to commence just after twelve , midnight , instead of dividing it into watches , as they were wont to do at sea . Journals were begun , and careful notes made of everything that occurred , or that might in any way further the object for which they had gone there . Every man in the ship had his appointed duty and his post . If the native Eskimos should arrive in a warlike temper , each man had his cutlass and pistols in readiness .