four o'clock in the
morning
Large drops of rain mingled with the spray , distant thunder rolled to windward , and occasional gleams of lightning pierced through the intense darkness of the night . The officers and men of the watches below , with sealed eyes and thoughtless hearts , were in their hammocks , trusting to those on deck for security . But the night was terrific , and the captain , first-lieutenant , and master , from the responsibility of their situations , continued on deck , as did many of the officers termed idlers , such as the surgeon and purser , who , although their presence was not required , felt no inclination to sleep . By four o'clock in the morning the gale was at its height . The lightning darted through the sky in every direction , and the thunder-claps for the time overpowered the noise of the wind as it roared through the shrouds . The sea , striking on the fore-channels , was thrown aft with violence over the quarter-deck and waist of the ship , as she laboured through the agitated sea . `` If this lasts much longer we must take the foresail off of her , and give her the main-staysail , '' said Hardy to the master .