twelve in the morning
But it was dry land ; and when at last it grew so shallow that I could leave the yard and wade ashore upon my feet , I can not tell if I was more tired or more grateful . Both at least , I was : tired as I never was before that night ; and grateful to God as I trust I have been often , though never with more cause . With my stepping ashore I began the most unhappy part of my adventures . It was half-past twelve in the morning , and though the wind was broken by the land , it was a cold night . I dared not sit down -LRB- for I thought I should have frozen -RRB- , but took off my shoes and walked to and fro upon the sand , barefoot , and beating my breast with infinite weariness . There was no sound of man or cattle ; not a cock crew , though it was about the hour of their first waking ; only the surf broke outside in the distance , which put me in mind of my perils and those of my friend . To walk by the sea at that hour of the morning , and in a place so desert-like and so lonesome , struck me with a kind of fear .