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Mr. Stone had with him during the middle watch an apprentice named Gibson, whose attention was first drawn to the steamer's lights at about 12.20 a. m.

Also, it was three bells of the middle watch, or--in other words--half-past one in the morning.

“Just make her snug, you know, Mr Stevenson,” said McBain, “for the night will be dark, and we may have more wind before the middle watch.”

It was precisely three bells in the middle watch when the mate entered Captain McBain’s room.

He was still lightheaded, muttering incoherently about taking over the middle watch.