two o'clock in the morning
`` If they do n't choose to turn in , they need n't ; but I 'm not going to launch the boats yet and leave the ship while it is safe . I 'm considering what is best for us all , Mr Meldrum ; and , excuse me , but as long as the vessel holds together I 'm captain of her , and do n't intend to give over my duty to anybody else . '' This was speaking pretty plainly , so Mr Meldrum had perforce to remain silent and nurse his uneasiness ; the two pacing up and down the poop on opposite sides , without ever a word passing between them for some time , just as if each ignored the other 's presence . At two o'clock in the morning , however , the wind increased and the heavy waves began to break against the windward side of the ship , dashing over her amidships in columns of spray . She also lurched more to starboard , as if thrown on her bilge , the deck inclining to an angle of forty-five degrees . At the same time , too , the group of men forward could be dimly seen in the half light moving about excitedly . They were evidently tired of their forced inaction ; for , their voices could be heard occasionally between the lulls of the breaking waves and sound of the wind whistling by .