midnight
Still , as the atmosphere was free from mist , seamen 's eyes could distinguish objects at a considerable distance off . With much anxiety we watched the rover , in the hope that the growing darkness would hide her from our view ; but still we could see her following closely in our wake , and thus , of course , there was every probability that she could see us . We could not expect that the darkness would increase ; consequently there would have been no use in altering our course , as it would have been perceived on board ; so all we could do was to stand boldly on as before . At the rate she was overhauling us , as the captain calculated , she would be up with us by midnight . I should have liked to have shortened sail , and brought the matter to an issue , but Captain Gale was not a man to act thus unwisely . He knew that we might fall in with some friendly vessel , or that the pirate might give up the chase , or that some sudden change in the weather might enable us to escape at the last moment . Everything , however , was prepared ; and thus standing at our posts , we waited the result .