midnight
What is your business ? '' `` Why , sir , just to report one flag struck , and a commander-in-chief on his beam-ends . '' `` Good God ! Nothing has happened to Sir Gervaise -- speak , fellow , or I 'll have you sent out of this Babel , and off to the ship , though it were midnight . '' `` It be pretty much that , Admiral Blue ; or past six bells ; as any one may see by the ship 's clock on the great companion ladder ; six bells , going well on to seven -- '' `` Your business , sir ! what has happened to Sir Gervaise ? '' repeated Bluewater , shaking his long fore-finger menacingly , at the steward .