midnight
During the course of the day several sail were seen passing , but all at a considerable distance . Either the captain did not think that it was safe to commence operations at present , or he did not like the look of some of the passing vessels ; but at any rate he made no movement to close with any of them , and it was not until nightfall that sail was again hoisted and the brig proceeded on her course . Ralph noticed that she carried no light , and that even the binnacle was carefully shaded so that its light could not be seen except by the helmsman . At midnight his watch went on deck , and Ralph perceived that while he had been below the sail had again been greatly reduced , and noticed that from time to time the officer on watch swept the horizon with his night-glass . He apparently observed nothing until about two o'clock , when he stood for some time gazing intently astern . Then he turned , gave an order to a sailor , who went below , and two or three minutes later the captain came on deck . After speaking to the officer he too gazed intently astern .