midnight
And as usual he stared through the port . A breath of wind came now and again into our faces . The ship might have been moored in dock , so gently and on an even keel she slipped through the water , that did not murmur even at our passage , shadowy and silent like a phantom sea . At midnight I went on deck , and to my mate 's great surprise put the ship round on the other tack . His terrible whiskers flitted round me in silent criticism . I certainly should not have done it if it had been only a question of getting out of that sleepy gulf as quickly as possible . I believe he told the second mate , who relieved him , that it was a great want of judgment .