midnight
They became seriously anxious about him . Jack had several men wounded in his boat , and one poor fellow lay stark and cold in the bow . The other boats had also several wounded on board them , while the steamer had a still greater proportion . The groans and cries of the poor fellows , as they lay racked with pain in the confined space which could alone be afforded on board the small vessels and boats , sounded sadly in the calm midnight air . The surgeons all the time were stepping from boat to boat , or visiting the vessels in succession , and doing their utmost to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded . Happy were those who could sleep , but many , among whom were Jack and Terence , could not close an eye . How anxiously , as they leant back and looked up to the dark sky studded with its myriads of stars reflected in the calm glassy waters , did they wish for the morrow , though that morrow might bring death and wounds to themselves or their companions .