midnight
Though he assigned no reason for his request , nor gave any intimation of his plans , the young Frenchman reposed implicit confidence in his discretion ; and , moreover , as a good Catholic , he was so habituated to the control of a spiritual guide , that he did not hesitate a moment to comply with this desire . Stanhope was rather surprised at this ready submission on the part of De Valette , which was , by no means , a prominent trait in his character ; but , as nothing could be gained by remaining at Pemaquid , he consented to accompany him , on his nocturnal voyage . The wind favored their passage , but the evening was dark and gloomy ; and , with no certain object in view , their progress was tedious in the extreme . The vessels kept close in company , but it was after midnight when they reached the place appointed by father Gilbert ; and , presuming that they should hear nothing from him till morning , they anchored near each other , off the shore of Mount Desert . The morning twilight was just breaking on the distant hills , when the watch from De Valette 's vessel descried an approaching boat . It was occupied by three persons , two of them labored at the oars , and the third sat in the midst , with folded arms , in a state of perfect immobility . `` That is father Gilbert , but who brings him hither ? ''