midnight
`` A nasty time you 'll have of it , sir , to-night . '' `` Like some other times that I 've known since I took to the sea , '' Dave shouted back through the gale . Wild , indeed , was the night , yet the stars remained visible . The wind had increased still more by eight bells -LRB- midnight -RRB- , when the watch again changed . `` Is the weather bad enough for you to have to remain here , sir ? '' asked Ensign Ormsby , respectfully . `` Yes , '' Darrin nodded .