four a.m.
So firmly was I possessed by the prevailing feeling . The night was very quiet . A gentle breeze was blowing , and the sky was of the usual `` Trade '' character , that is , a dome of dark blue fringed at the horizon with peaceful cumulus clouds , almost motionless . I turned in at four a.m. from the middle watch and , as usual , slept like a babe . Suddenly I started wide awake , a long mournful sound sending a thrill to my very heart . As I listened breathlessly other sounds of the same character but in different tones joined in , human voices monotonously intoning in long drawn-out expirations the single word `` bl-o-o-o-o-w . '' Then came a hurricane of noise overhead , and adjurations in no gentle language to the sleepers to `` tumble up lively there , no skulking , sperm whales . ''