midnight
She lifted the cover from her shoulders , and extended it to his . It dropped to his lap also , so thus they sat in the dim glow of the electric light . Life belts were within easy reach . It was well past midnight when the lights went out . Then the beat , beat of the engines grew less , became fainter , and then like a great heart , ceased . The ship was dead , and lifeless it must float at the mercy of wind and wave . Then from below came the cries of men , and there were hurried steps and sharp commands on deck .