ten o'clock
The breeze was still blowing stiffly , and the lightning continued . Giacomo informed Monte-Cristo that unless a calm should suddenly come on they would certainly arrive at Crete by noon . The sailors , he added , were in good spirits , and might be relied upon , though they were much fatigued by reason of their unceasing labor . At ten o'clock the man at the wheel hurriedly summoned the captain to his side , and , with a look of terror and bewilderment , directed his attention to the compass , the needle of which no longer pointed to the north , but was dancing a mad dance , not remaining stationary for a single instant . To complicate the situation still further , the sun was suddenly obscured , absolute darkness invading both sea and sky . Only when the vivid lightning tore the dense clouds apart were those on board the Alcyon enabled to catch a glimpse of what was going on about them , and that glimpse was but momentary . Thunder peals were now added to the terrors of the time , while the yacht tossed and plunged on angry , threatening billows .