six in the evening
And it 's not far off , either ! See , there 's another cloud coming up from the nor ` ard ! '' Steadily , and with a slowness that only increased its threatening aspect , the cloud to the northward joined the vast overhanging canopy that had been seen earlier in the day . By half-past six in the evening it was black as the densest night , the murk only being lighted by the constant flashes of lightning . The air was highly electrified and the wireless was made silent . During the evening the island was shaken by many light earthquake shocks and several people from St. Paul came to take refuge on the _ Bear _ . At midnight a fine dust was falling steadily , but by six bells of the middle watch it had lessened and when the sun rose the next morning , he could be seen as a dull red ball .