midnight
He was good to us all . There 'll be no more whales to kill where he has gone . '' These were the words of regret that fell from lips that rarely invoked a prayer . At midnight , when the bells had struck , the crew gathered together on the forward deck , and while one held a lamp another read the Episcopal service for the burial of the dead . And as the light at times reflected each figure of the group , giving it a phantom-like appearance , the picture presented was sad and impressive -- such as can only be seen at sea , where each sound calls up some memory , and the sailor fancies he can see the spirit of some departed friend in every flitting shadow . Officers and men alike began to feel how great was their loss . They were alone , as it were , on this broad and mysterious ocean , and they had lost that odd old man who was their guiding spirit , and who never failed them as friend and protector .