one o’clock in the morning
Sometimes I tried to peer through the dense gloom , which was broken only by the phosphorescent flickers coming from our movements . I stared at the luminous ripples breaking over my hands , shimmering sheets spattered with blotches of bluish gray . It seemed as if we 'd plunged into a pool of quicksilver . Near one o'clock in the morning , I was overcome with tremendous exhaustion . My limbs stiffened in the grip of intense cramps . Conseil had to keep me going , and attending to our self-preservation became his sole responsibility . I soon heard the poor lad gasping ; his breathing became shallow and quick .