midnight
Several broadsides were poured into the corvette , which had the desired effect of crippling her still more , and her encumbered condition prevented any return . At last the night hid both vessels from each other ; and the breeze freshening fast , it was necessary that the remaining masts of the _ Windsor Castle _ should be properly secured . The guns were therefore abandoned ; and during the time the seamen were employed in knotting the rigging and bending the spare sails , Newton consulted with his brother officers , who were unanimous in agreeing that all had been done that could be expected , and that to wait till the ensuing day , when the corvette would have repaired her damages , would be attended with a risk of capture , which the valuable property entrusted to their charge would never authorise . It was not until past midnight that the _ Windsor Castle _ was in a condition to make sail ; but long before this , Newton had contrived to leave the deck for a few minutes to communicate with Isabel . With most of the particulars , and with the death of Captain Oughton , she had already been made acquainted ; and if there could be any reward to Newton for his gallantry and his prudence , more coveted than another , it was the affectionate greeting with which he was welcomed and congratulated by Isabel , her eyes beaming with tears of delight as they glanced from his face , and were shrouded on the deck . Love and murder make a pretty mixture , although as antithetical as the sweet and acid in punch , -- a composition which meets the approbation of all sensible , discriminating people . But I shall leave the reader to imagine all he pleases , and finish the chapter by informing him that , when the sun again made his appearance , the corvette was not to be discovered from the mast-head .