six o'clock
Almost immediately the storm-tossed waves in the vicinity of the ship , which hitherto had been raging mountains high , quieted down in a way that filled me with astonishment . This tranquillity prevailed as long as the oil lasted ; but as soon as the supply was exhausted the giant waves became as turbulent and mountainous as ever . All night long the gale blew the ship blindly hither and thither , and it was not until just before daybreak that the storm showed any signs of abating . By six o'clock , however , only a slight wind was blowing , and the sea no longer threatened to engulf me and my little vessel . I was now able to look about me , and see what damage had been done ; and you may imagine my relief when I found that the ship was still sound and water - tight , although the bulwarks were all gone , and she had all the appearance of a derelict . One of the first things I did was to go down and unloose the dog -- poor Bruno . The delight of the poor creature knew no bounds , and he rushed madly up on deck , barking frantically for his absent master .