midnight
Captain Guzman said : `` He has no way of getting cannon this side of Atlamalco , and that would take a day or two ; he has no wish to destroy his own property , and , if he had such a wish , he could n't do it , for only by accident would he hit the boat . '' `` That squelches my theory , which I did n't believe in myself . I 'll have another talk with the Captain , though his sense of honor is n't likely to allow him to say much . '' It was beyond midnight and the two were conversing in a friendly way , but without anything important being said , when they looked in each other 's face with a pleased expression . A welcome fact had become known to both at the same moment . `` The boat is moving , '' whispered the American . With the screw motionless , she had been lifted clear by the tide and now swung clear .