ten o'clock
The explanation seemed quite reasonable and satisfactory , so after some little further talk we returned to the drawing-room and resumed our music . But shortly afterward we were again disturbed twice by recurrences of the same phenomenon ; we accordingly gave it up , and I went off to my cabin , debating within myself whether I should change into my working rig or turn in . Finally I decided upon the former alternative , since I did not feel much inclined for sleep , and when I had effected the change I went up on deck , thinking that possibly a spell of fresh air would bring on the desired drowsiness . As I reached the main-deck four bells -LRB- ten o'clock -RRB- were struck , and the look-out had just responded with the stereotyped cry of `` All 's well ! '' when there occurred another shock , so violent and protracted that some of the hands cried out in terror . It is difficult to gauge the passage of time accurately at such a moment , but I think this shock must have lasted nearly , if not quite , two minutes ; and the sensation to which I can most nearly compare it is that of a ship being swept and jolted over the rough surface of a coral reef by a red-hot tide . So strong and so alarming was the shock that it created something almost amounting to panic among the crew , a few of whom , in their alarm , raised a cry to launch the boats ; and it was not without some difficulty that they were eventually persuaded that the yacht was quite uninjured , and that they were therefore far safer on her deck than they could possibly be in any boat .