midnight
No one even thought of sleeping . Unable to compete with the monster 's speed , the Abraham Lincoln slowed down and stayed at half steam . For its part , the narwhale mimicked the frigate , simply rode with the waves , and seemed determined not to forsake the field of battle . However , near midnight it disappeared , or to use a more appropriate expression , `` it went out , '' like a huge glowworm . Had it fled from us ? We were duty bound to fear so rather than hope so . But at 12:53 in the morning , a deafening hiss became audible , resembling the sound made by a waterspout expelled with tremendous intensity .