midnight
The order was given to range the cable , and get ready for anchoring , should we approach the shore . No one turned in , for we could not tell at what moment all hands might be required . Towards the end of the first watch , the gale began to moderate , and our hopes of ultimately escaping rose considerably . My father waited till midnight , and then ordered the watch just relieved to turn in , to be ready to take their duty in the morning . It was my morning watch ; so I followed his directions , and turned in to my berth , hoping at daylight to see the coast of Australia , which I had pictured in glowing colours . I was awakened by an ominous grating sound , and then by a blow which made the vessel quiver from stem to stern . She lifted for an instant , and then down she came again with a crash which seemed to be wrenching her timbers asunder .