midnight
Let the storm come , we 'll meet it ! '' John Mangles remained on deck the whole night , for though as yet the sky was still unclouded , he had such faith in his weather-glass , that he took every precaution that prudence could suggest . About 11 P. M. the sky began to darken in the south , and the crew were called up , and all the sails hauled in , except the foresail , brigantine , top-sail , and jib-boom . At midnight the wind freshened , and before long the cracking of the masts , and the rattling of the cordage , and groaning of the timbers , awakened the passengers , who speedily made their appearance on deck -- at least Paganel , Glenarvan , the Major and Robert . `` Is it the hurricane ? '' asked Glenarvan quietly . `` Not yet , '' replied the captain ; `` but it is close at hand . ''