midnight
Hard biscuit , chocolate , and sugar formed the superstructure . In default of fire , these articles could be eaten cold , but while their supply of spirits of wine lasted , a patent Vesuvian of the most complete and almost miraculous nature could provide a hot meal in ten minutes . Of fresh water they had a two-weeks ' supply in casks , but this was economised by means of excellent water procured from a pond in a passing berg -- from which also a lump of clear ice had been hewn , wrapped in a blanket , and carried into the Captain 's boat as a supply of fresh water in solid form . Laying the oars across the boats to keep them together , they floated thus pleasantly on the glassy sea , bathed in midnight sunshine . And while they feasted in comfort inexpressible -- to the surprise , no doubt , of surrounding gulls and puffins -- Benjamin Vane once again gave utterance to the opinion that it was the most glorious and altogether astonishing state of things that he had ever heard or dreamed of since the world began ! This is a world of alternations . We need not turn aside to prove that .