About two o'clock in the morning
The sun would not rise for about eight hours . Could they exist so long in the water without fainting or becoming cramped by the sluggish circulation of the blood ? In vain he tried to pierce the dense darkness which surrounded them , for now the moon had disappeared , and bad weather seemed imminent again . About two o'clock in the morning our hero was seized with extreme fatigue ; his limbs were a prey to an agonizing cramp . Stump put his arm around him , but he drew his breath with difficulty , and evidently required all his strength for himself . `` Let me go , boy , '' said Mont ; `` save yourself . '' `` Certainly not , '' said Stump quickly .