about midnight
`` But I must ; think of his wife and children , Rutton ! There 's a chance yet -- a bare chance ; he may have reached the boat . If he did , every minute I waste here is killing him by inches ; he 'll die of exposure ! But from Shampton we could send a boat -- '' `` The tide fulls about midnight to-night , '' interrupted Rutton , consulting his watch . `` It 's after nine , -- and there 's a heavy surf breaking over the bar now . By ten it 'll be impassable , and you could n't reach it before eleven . Be content , David ; you 're powerless . ''