midnight
By the time the captain and second-mate had turned in , which each did after going below and taking a stiff glass of rum and water in his turn , it was so dark our young mate could not discern the combing of the waves a hundred yards from the ship , in any direction . This obscurity was owing to the drizzle that filled the atmosphere , as well as to the clouds that covered the canopy above that lone and wandering ship . As for Mark , he took his station between the knight-heads , where he remained most of the watch , nearly straining the eyes out of his head , in the effort to penetrate the gloom , and listening acutely to ascertain if he might not catch some warning roar of the breakers , that he felt so intimately persuaded must be getting nearer and nearer at each instant . As midnight approached , came the thought of Hillson 's taking his place , drowsy and thick-headed as he knew he must be at that hour . At length Mark actually fancied he heard the dreaded sounds ; the warning , however , was not ahead , but well on his starboard beam . This he thought an ample justification for departing from his instructions , and he instantly issued an order to put the helm hard a-starboard , so as to bring the vessel up to the wind , on the contrary tack . Unfortunately , as the result proved , it now became his imperative duty to report to Captain Crutchely what he had done .