I didn't ask the Captain's leave to attend this ceremony, for I had a general idea that he wouldn't give it.

If the Captain, I reasoned, doesn't forbid me, I break no orders by going.

Now this was a specious line of argument, and the mishaps that befell me in consequence of adopting it were richly deserved.
On the evening of the 3d I retired to bed very early, in order to disarm suspicion.

I didn't sleep a wink, waiting for eleven o'clock to come round; and I thought it never would come round, as I lay counting from time to time the slow strokes of the ponderous bell in the steeple of the Old North Church.

At length the laggard hour arrived.