midnight
Having given them , the passenger signed the negro to fan him , and stretched himself upon the pallet ; and thenceforth there was no longer a question who was in control . It became the more interesting , however , to know the object of the landing at midnight on the shore of a lonesome unnamed bay . The skipper predicted like a prophet . The ship was in the bay , and it was midnight or nearly so ; for certain stars had climbed into certain quarters of the sky , and after their fashion were striking the hour . The passenger was pleased . `` You have done well , '' he said to the mariner . `` Be silent now , and get close in shore .