midday
You go ahead , sir ; _ we 'll _ look awfter Chips , and keep him in order ; never fear ! '' `` I hope you will , for your own sakes , '' I retorted significantly , leaving them to interpret my meaning as they chose . `` My next condition , '' I continued , `` is that the cabin and the staterooms are to be left to the exclusive use of the lady and myself , the steward only being allowed access to them . `` My next condition is that no man shall have more than two gills of rum per day -- half to be served out at midday , and the remainder at four bells of the first dog-watch . In the event of bad weather , or other especial circumstances , the allowance may be increased at my discretion , and by so much as I may consider necessary . `` And my last condition is that when this business is concluded , the lady and I are to be allowed to take the boat , with a sufficient stock of provisions and water , and to quit the ship within sight of some suitable harbour , to be chosen by myself . '' A dead silence followed this bold announcement on my part , which was at length broken by O'Gorman , who , looking round upon his motley crowd of followers , demanded : `` Well , bhoys , you 've heard what the gintleman says .