“2nd and 3rd watch” is a term used to refer to the second and third watches of the night, which traditionally took place from 10 pm to 2 am and 2 am to 6 am, respectively. In the past, when artificial lighting was not widely available, these watches were crucial for maintaining security and order during the nighttime hours.
The 2nd and 3rd watches were typically the responsibility of different individuals or groups, such as town watchmen, security guards, or military sentries. These individuals would patrol the streets, keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and respond to any disturbances or emergencies that arose.