about eight o'clock in
the evening
So completely prostrate was he that he had no power to so much as lift his hand , and he was only able to speak in the merest whisper . Now was the time when all Lance 's skill was most urgently required . Fagged as he was by his long night of watching , he tended his patient with the most unremitting assiduity , administering tonics and stimulants every few minutes ; and racking his brain for devices by which he might help the man to tide over this period of extreme prostration . But it was all of no avail ; the poor fellow gradually sank into a state of stupor from which all Evelin 's skill was unable to arouse him ; and at length , about eight o'clock in the evening , after a temporary revival during which all the terrors of death once more assailed him , his guilty soul passed away without opportunity for repentance ; prayers and curses issuing from his lips in horrible confusion up to the last moment of his existence . His death was witnessed by several of his companions in crime ; and , while some tried to laugh and scoff away the unwelcome impression which the scene produced upon their minds , there were others who went into the open air and wandered away by themselves to ponder upon this miserable ending of a crime-stained life . Lance 's long and fatiguing watch beside the death-bed of the unfortunate armourer of course delayed to some extent Captain Staunton 's reply to the suggestion which Dickinson had made on behalf of himself and certain of his comrades . But the skipper had , to save time , discussed the matter with the rest of the party , coming to the conclusion that they would be quite justified , under the circumstances , in accepting the services of these men ; and on the morning following the armourer 's death -- Lance having enjoyed a good night 's rest -- his opinion was taken upon the question , with the view of giving the men an answer forthwith .