midnight
The inn-keeper and his friends now returned to the inn and discussed the matter over warm punch until nearly midnight , or until their wits became so confused that the four men in the boat increased to forty . In short , Nyack waked up on the following morning to find herself filled with the wildest reports concerning this midnight expedition and its object . The little boat moved on steadily up the stream , her sturdy oarsmen pulling at a measured stroke through the bewildering fog . In this way the boat was kept on up the river until past midnight , a glimpse of the land being caught here and there , an assurance to Hanz that they were not far out at sea . Indeed , Hanz began to get somewhat uneasy , and to wish himself back with Angeline in the little house . As this expedition , however , was to establish a solid basis for the great Kidd Discovery Company , out of which a fortune for Tite was to come , he was willing to run the risk of being lost in the fog for a night or two . Towards morning the men became uneasy and hungry , and began cursing Kidd and all connected with him , and enquired of Chapman if he knew where he was going .