Midnight
Another and final effort to get away was to be tried at midnight with high tide . And then -- if nothing availed -- the boys knew full well that with the morning Lieutenant McClure would resort to some drastic measures . Efforts at sleep were futile for the most part , although dauntless spirits like Bill Witt and Mike Mowrey turned in as usual and dozed away as peacefully as though no danger existed . Midnight and high tide kindled fresh hopes as `` Little Mack '' steeled himself for a last try with the _ Dewey 's _ hardworked engines . Jack and Ted had spent the long evening in the wireless room with Sammy Smith , hearing not so much as a trace of a passing vessel . Eagerly they awaited the last herculean effort for freedom . At ten minutes to one the engines were set in motion again and the signal given to back away as before .