midnight
It was only a few steps from his door to the rail of the vessel high above the water . Dimly on the bridge he saw the shadowy figure of an officer walking back and forth . Hardlock looked over the side at the phosphorescent glitter of the water which made the black ocean seem blacker still . The sharp ring of the bell betokening midnight made Melville start as if a hand had touched him , and the quick beating of his heart took some moments to subside . `` I 've been smoking too much to-day , '' he said to himself . Then looking quickly up and down the deck , he walked on tip toe to his room , took the trunk by its stout leather handle and pulled it over the ledge in the doorway . There were small wheels at the bottom of the trunk , but although they made the pulling of it easy , they seemed to creak with appalling loudness .