midnight
The Captain peered about him on either side of the ship , anon stooping to send his glances forward into the darkness beyond the heaving bows ; then he hailed the lookouts upon the forecastle , demanding in sharp , imperative tones whether there were sail of any kind in sight . The answer was in the negative . `` Well , my masters , '' said he , turning to Stukely and Chichester , `` you see how it is ; there is nothing in sight ; and every mile that we travel lessens your chance of our falling in with anything into which we can transfer you . If this good breeze holds -- as I trust in God that it will -- we shall be off Falmouth shortly after midnight , but much too far out to render it at all likely that we shall sight any of its fishing craft ; and , once to the westward of Falmouth , your last chance of getting ashore will be gone . Now , what say ye ? Will ye , without more ado , up and join us ? I talked the matter over with my partners while you were changing your duds before supper , and I can find room in the ship for both of you .