About midnight
The aeronauts had to make up their minds to remain motionless at the distance of but three hundred feet above the ground . Not a fire or light shone in the deep gloom , and around reigned the silence of death ; but the doctor only redoubled his vigilance , as this apparent quiet might conceal some snare . And he had reason to be watchful . About midnight , the whole city seemed to be in a blaze . Hundreds of streaks of flame crossed each other , and shot to and fro in the air like rockets , forming a regular network of fire . `` That 's really curious ! '' said the doctor , somewhat puzzled to make out what it meant .