midnight
Now for it ! '' Nearer and nearer it came , but without noise , without sparks , without a trail , though its lower part was brighter than ever . Its path lying little above them , the nearer it came the more the collision seemed inevitable . Imagine yourself caught on a narrow railroad bridge at midnight with an express train approaching at full speed , its reflector already dazzling you with its light , the roar of the cars rattling in your ears , and you may conceive the feelings of the travellers . At last it was so near that the travellers started back in affright , with eyes shut , hair on end , and fully believing their last hour had come . Even then Ardan had his _ mot _ . `` We can neither switch off , down brakes , nor clap on more steam !