About three
o'clock in the morning
They stripped me and rubbed me all over with a bit of sponge , not only the face and hands , but every part of my body and then I was left standing quite naked to dry ; the crew had gathered round us , and were very merry at the idea of changing my colour . As soon as the warm air had dried me , the application was created ; and when I was again dry , the American told me to put on my clothes , and that he would call me early to have two more applications of the stuff , and that then I should be quite dark enough . I asked for Jose , and told him what the captain had said ; he gave me a bundle of matting for a bed , and I was soon fast asleep . About three o'clock in the morning I was called up , and the staining repeated twice , and I then lay down again . When the hands were turned up at five bells -LRB- for everything was very regular on board -RRB- , Jose brought me a glass to look at myself , and I was quite satisfied that my colour would no longer annoy the captain . I was not as black as a negro , but I was as dark as a mulatto . I asked the Spanish negro , through Jose , who could speak both languages , whether I might wash myself ?