ten o'clock
The starboard watch was piped below to study and recite , while the port watch were to be off and on during the forenoon . The first part now had the deck , while the second was off duty , and the boys belonging to it were permitted to remain on deck or to spend their time in the mess rooms . They were not allowed to linger in the steerage where the recitations were going on , but might pass directly through on their way to their apartments . At ten o'clock the first part of the port watch was relieved , and the second part went on duty . Shuffles and Wilton were at liberty now , but there appeared to be a coldness between them , and Wilton sought another companion for his leisure hours . Sanborn and Adler belonged to his part of the watch , and he soon joined them . `` There is n't much difference between being off duty and being on , '' said Adler , as they seated themselves on the main hatch .