It was nearing the end of his watch, for the dog-watch of two hours set in at four o'clock.

But it seemed to him that four o'clock would never come.
An incident occurred just at this moment that helped him to keep his eyes open.

A man went aft through the engine-room with a red handkerchief tied round his forehead.

In spite of this partial disguise August perceived that it was Parkins.

He passed through to the place where the steerage or deck passengers are, and then disappeared from August's sight.