midnight
It was as if they had reached the dividing line , and were about to enter upon a course that would admit of no turning back . `` There , the last glimmer of light has disappeared ! '' finally cried Jack in an awed tone , `` and we 're heading out over the Atlantic , bound for America ! '' It was long past midnight . In fact , the aviators could expect to see dawn break before a great while . When that event came about they knew what an appalling spectacle must greet their wondering eyes . Above , the boundless expanse of blue sky , with fleecy little white clouds passing here and there , looking like islands in a sea of azure ; below , an unending sea of tossing waves , with perhaps not even a fishing vessel in sight .