midnight
But it is too late . There is a sudden shock ; the ship is caught up by an enormous wave ; she rises upon her beam ends ; several times she strikes the ground ; the mizzen-mast snaps short off level with the deck , falls into the sea , and the Chancellor is motionless . THE night of the 29th continued . -- It was not yet midnight ; the darkness was most profound , and we could see nothing . But was it probable that we had stranded on the coast of America ? Very shortly after the ship had thus come to a stand-still a clanking of chains was heard proceeding from her bows . `` That is well , '' said Curtis ; `` Walter and the boatswain have cast both the anchors .