eight o’clock
Besides , he had other thoughts to occupy his mind . The prospects of the morrow offered serious matter for consideration . The captain was actuated by no personal animosity against the count ; though rivals , the two men regarded each other with sincere respect ; they had simply reached a crisis in which one of them was _ de trop ; _ which of them , fate must decide . At eight o'clock , Captain Servadac re-entered the gourbi , the single apartment of which contained his bed , a small writing-table , and some trunks that served instead of cupboards . The orderly performed his culinary operations in the adjoining building , which he also used as a bed-room , and where , extended on what he called his `` good oak mattress , '' he would sleep soundly as a dormouse for twelve hours at a stretch . Ben Zoof had not yet received his orders to retire , and ensconcing himself in a corner of the gourbi , he endeavored to doze -- a task which the unusual agitation of his master rendered somewhat difficult . Captain Servadac was evidently in no hurry to betake himself to rest , but seating himself at his table , with a pair of compasses and a sheet of tracing-paper , he began to draw , with red and blue crayons , a variety of colored lines , which could hardly be supposed to have much connection with a topographical survey .