midnight
`` No human hand could steer that course ! '' `` Yet I am here . '' `` The thing is impossible ! '' `` The tide flows at midnight . My orders are to go in with the rising tide and bring you out on the ebb , that you may make a good offing before dawn . '' `` It can not be done ! I 'll not have the risk -- '' `` You have your commands , I my orders , '' coldly interrupted the pilot .