about twelve o'clock at night
In three months her affairs were arranged ; and with her little boys hanging at the breasts of two negro nurses -- for no others could be procured who would undertake the voyage -- Mrs. Templemore , with Coco as male servant , embarked on board of the good ship _ Circassian _ , A I , bound to Liverpool . Those who , standing on the pier , had witnessed the proud bearing of the _ Circassian _ as she gave her canvas to the winds , little contemplated her fate : still less did those on board ; for confidence is the characteristic of seamen , and they have the happy talent of imparting their confidence to whomsoever may be in their company . We shall pass over the voyage , confining ourselves to a description of the catastrophe . It was during a gale from the north-west , which had continued for three days , and by which the _ Circassian _ had been driven into the Bay of Biscay , that , at about twelve o'clock at night , a slight lull was perceptible . The captain , who had remained on deck , sent down for the chief mate . ` Oswald , ' said Captain Ingram , ` the gale is breaking , and I think before morning we shall have had the worst of it . I shall lie down for an hour or two : call me if there be any change . '