about midnight
But this was of no avail as it happened , for all the rest of that day I saw not another sail . The next night was spent in weariness on deck , with a cold rain falling . I managed to keep awake without much difficulty , for I did not take any more spirits , but had a can of hot coffee beside me at the tiller , and went below several times to keep the fire alight and the kettle on the boil . At about midnight I saw a ship 's light to windward , but it soon dropped below the horizon . It showed me that I was still on the sea track between Orkney and Shetland , and I kept a sharp lookout towards morning for the Sumburgh light . Day broke with a haze over the water and a cloudy sky . The wind shifted to the northeast , bringing snow .