ten o'clock
Each of the new members of the League was commissioned to obtain a recruit , whose name was given to him , and he was required to report upon the case , to Shuffles , before eight bells in the afternoon watch . As a measure of precaution , it was required that no meetings should be held ; that not more than three members should assemble for business at any one time . The utmost care and circumspection were urged , and it was agreed that not a word should be said in the steerage , where it was possible for any of the professors to overhear it . The second part of the port watch , with Pelham as officer of the deck , went on duty at ten o'clock . The wind had been freshening for the last two hours , and it was now necessary to reduce sail . The royals were first taken in , and then the top-gallant sails . `` We ca n't lay this course , sir , '' said Burchmore , the quartermaster , who was conning the helm .