about midnight
`` Let us get hold of the land first . '' It was nearly dark by the time they reached the edge of the opposite ice , and having unloaded their boat , they hauled her up , and proceeded on to a hummock at a little distance . Here , without loss of time , they build an igloo in which to shelter themselves for the night . The first part passed quietly away , but about midnight Archy was awoke by the sound of the crashing of ice , and a loud dashing of waves . He aroused his companions , they listened for a few seconds . `` The sea is breaking up the ice close to us , '' exclaimed Andrew . `` Put on your clothes , lads , or we may be drowned in our den . ''