the hour of ten
Maurice boldly asked for the captain , and was told that he was asleep , and on no condition could he be seen until ten ; so they had to content themselves with wandering around and talking about what the chances were for success . Thad was very nervous , for it must be understood that as yet good Uncle Ambrose did not even know that such a fellow existed on earth , and his future was , to say the least , uncertain . The possibility of being separated by a cruel fate from this chum whom he loved so well was beginning to give Thad a heartache ; and his hands trembled in spite of his smiling face , every time he looked at Maurice . The time that elapsed until the hour of ten arrived was about as weary a stretch as either of our lads ever knew ; indeed , Thad afterward declared that it was worse than on the occasion when they had to put in an hour of dreadful suspense in the cabin of the shanty-boat while the storm raged on the river , and it was doubtful whether they would ever see daylight again . But finally the time came for them to go aboard ; and mustering their courage to the fore they went up the gang plank . A sailor directed them to the captain 's room and here Maurice discovered a big man in a uniform , whose bearded face had a kindly look , and who at his entrance jumped up , stared at him a couple of seconds and then pounced upon him like a great grizzly bear , grasping both his hands and roaring : `` Jim 's boy for all the world -- he very image of his dad as I remember him , I 'm mighty glad to see you , Maurice , and at first sight I know we 're going to get on fine together . And you 're come down to go with old Uncle Ambrose to foreign ports , eh ?