midnight
The first stroke of four bells was just sounding when , having just reached the forecastle , he suddenly saw a bright light astern , followed by a loud roar , which he knew alone could proceed from the Malay proa . She had blown up . He heard Langton 's voice ordering a boat to be lowered , and was on the point of running aft when he felt the deck beneath his feet tremble . A roar far greater than that which had just been heard sounded in the midnight air . For a moment the ship appeared to be enveloped in flame . He experienced the sensation of being lifted up , when he lost all consciousness . How long he continued senseless he could not tell .