midnight
With what they did take , however , they made a merry carousal ; they first became uproarious in their mirth , and eventually they sobered down into a state in which a child might have bound them . I observed the change that was wrought upon them -- I saw the advantage I had gained . My thoughts became fixed upon how to profit by it . It was midnight -- the moon of an eastern sky flashed upon the sea -- the very waters of the mighty deep moved in silence . The few stars that were in the heavens were reflected back from its bosom . On board the vessel not a living creature stirred ; the very man at the helm had fallen down as if dead . With the fetters upon my feet , I stood alone , the master of a dead crew .