Three hours after midnight
On their way home a storm drove Thorer 's vessel on the rocks in a fog , and it became a total wreck . The crew were all saved , however , and much of the lading , by Solve , who stowed the goods in his own ship , and brought home the men . They were within a day 's sail of Horlingdal , when they put ashore to take a few hours ' repose . Three hours after midnight Solve Klofe , whose breathing up to that time had resembled that of an infant , gave vent to a prolonged bass snore , and opened his eyes . This was followed by the shutting of his mouth , and with one of those satisfactory stretchings of the body with which a sound sleeper is wont in the morning to dismiss repose and recall his energies . Having lain still a few moments to enjoy the result , Solve sat up , and stretching forth his hand , drew aside the curtain of the tent under which he slept , and looked out . The sight that gladdened his eyes was beautiful beyond description , for the sun was up in all his northern glory , and shone on the silver sea with dazzling light , while he scattered away the mists of morning .