midnight
Presently , they went below , and the yelp of the cabin boy -- roused from sleep , doubtless , by the toe of the skipper 's boot -- and the subsequent clink of glasses , told me they were toasting the occasion . I was consumed with dread . But just what to dread , I could not guess . The Cockney took over the helm at midnight . I hurried forward , eager to see what was happening in the fore part of the ship , and anxious to speak with Newman . The air of unease , of expectancy , which I had felt so strongly aft , was even more evident forward . My watch , though off duty , did not go below directly .