nine o'clock
The tide was ebbing , and her stern was turned toward us , but no lights appeared gleaming through her cabin windows , which struck me as being a little strange until I remembered that Monsieur Le Breton had spoken of her captain being ill . A few of our lads were amusing themselves on the forecastle , dancing to the enlivening strains of the cook 's fiddle , or singing songs ; and an occasional round of applause or an answering song came floating down upon the gentle night-breeze from the brig ; but as the fog grew thicker these sounds gradually ceased , we lost sight of her altogether , and so far as sound or sight was concerned we might have been the only craft in the entire river . Our own lads also quieted down ; and finally the only sounds which broke the solemn stillness of the night were the sighing of the breeze , the gentle rustle of the foliage , and the loud sonorous _ chirr , chirr , chirr _ of the insects . It was about half-past nine o'clock , and I was just thinking of going below to turn-in when I became conscious of the sounds of a commotion of some sort ; a muffled cry , which seemed to me like a call for `` help ; '' a dull thud , as of a falling body , and _ a splash _ ! The sounds certainly proceeded from the direction of the brig ; and I thought that they must have emanated from a spot at about her distance from the _ Daphne _ . The slight feeling of drowsiness which had possessed me took flight at once ; all my senses became instantly upon the alert ; and I awaited in keen expectancy to hear if anything further followed . In vain ; the minutes sped past , and neither sight nor sound occurred to elucidate the mystery .