four o'clock
Then they got their mast and yard tackles aloft , arranged the chocks in place on the main hatch , and with a tremendous amount of fuss , with the assistance of snatch-blocks , the windlass , and the winch , they contrived to hoist in and stow the life-boat that had stood me in such good stead for nearly a fortnight . That done , all hands held another somewhat lengthy and animated pow-wow on the forecastle-head , at the conclusion of which the man who had given me permission to come aboard came aft and , pointing to the life-boat , remarked to me : `` I reckon we 've made a very good job of that , mister , and I 'm sure we 're all very much obliged to ye for the idee . She 's worth a dozen of the long-boat and quite worth all the trouble we 've took to put her where she is . '' Then , without waiting for any response , he stepped aft , peered through the skylight , and , stepping to where the ship 's bell hung , he struck eight bells -LRB- four o'clock -RRB- . Rejoining me as I stood watching the long-boat , that had been cast adrift , he remarked , with a clumsy effort at civility : `` Tea 'll be coming along aft in about five minutes , and I reckon you 'll be glad of a cup . I s ` pose you have n't been gettin ' much hot food while you 've been moochin ' about in that boat , have ye ? '' `` I have not , '' I replied .