four o'clock
`` Send for Mr. Amblen at once ! '' exclaimed the commander , who appeared to have become suddenly excited . `` There will be no moon to-night in these parts , and we may be able to hurry this matter up if we have a competent pilot . '' Christy called Dave , and sent him for the acting third lieutenant , for he knew that Mr. Flint had had the watch since four o'clock . Mr. Amblen was sunning himself on the quarter deck , and he promptly obeyed the summons . `` I am glad to see you , Mr. Amblen , and I hope you will prove to be as useful a person as I have been led to believe you may be , '' said the captain . `` I shall endeavor to do my duty , sir , '' replied the third lieutenant , who was always very ambitious to earn the good opinion of his superiors .