about
midnight
`` We have been in the wars , you see , youngster , '' the captain said , when Bob made his way aft ; `` but we may thank God it was no worse . We have had a pretty close squeak of it , but the worst is over , now . The wind is going down , and the gale will have blown itself out by this evening . It was touch-and-go several times during the night and , if she had had a few more tons of cargo in her , she would never have risen from some of those waves ; but I think , now , we shall see Oporto safely -- which was more than I expected , about midnight . '' For some hours Bob , himself , had considerable doubts as to this , so deeply did the brig bury herself in the waves ; but after twelve o'clock the wind fell rapidly and , although the waves showed no signs of decreasing in height , their surface was smoother , and they seemed to strike the vessel with less force and violence . `` Now , Mr. Probert , '' said the captain , `` do you and Joe turn in , till first watch . I will take charge of the deck .