about midnight
The rest must be left . '' Night came , a night that was even blacker than that which had passed , but the rain did not cease nor the sky clear . Everything a hundred yards away seemed to be so much solid darkness ; but , on the other hand , the sea grew no rougher , and the wind sent the boat rapidly along . It must have been about midnight that , as nearly everyone in the gig were plunged in a stupor-like sleep , the first-mate was steering , the boat gliding swiftly through the broken waves . The major sat on one side and Mark on the other talking from time to time in a low voice . A calm feeling of despair had settled down among them , and when they did speak it was about some indifferent matter , all shrinking from anything concerning their approaching fate , when Mark , who was stooping to pat the poor wounded dog at his feet , where he lay curled in company with shivering Jack , suddenly laid his hand upon Mr Gregory 's arm . `` What 's that ? ''