Save one small lamp all lights in the saloon were extinguished, and only a few remained alight down below.
Captain Thorne came on deck for a few minutes before turning in, and all hands, save those on watch, were soon asleep.
The night passed uneventfully.
At midnight Mr. Sennit, the chief officer, and his men took over control, but although Archer and Sorter were also called neither of them seemed willing to leave their warm beds until fairly driven out by the mate.
Jack and Wilton were soon asleep, yet only a few moments seemed to have elapsed before they were again called to keep the morning watch.
Scarcely more than half awake both boys stumbled aft, and despite their warm jackets each felt the keen winter breeze sufficiently chilling.
'Ugh!' Wilton exclaimed, 'I thought our run down Channel was bad enough, but this is worse. Had I known that we should be compelled to stand watches at night, I should not have come. I'm almost sick of the life already.'
'Perhaps Captain Thorne will put you on a homeward-bound ship,' Jack laughingly replied; 'cheer up, lad! it is certainly quite different from what we have been accustomed to; but, like everything else that is strange and a little trying, you will soon get used to it. At anyrate, it is your first spell at the bell-ringing, and I shall sit on the companion stairs ready for a call.'
At five o'clock the cook sang out 'Coffee,' and when Jack had swallowed his allowance Wilton was relieved.
After that matters sensibly improved.