nine o'clock in the morning
Whilst they two thus sat all alone on the bottom of the boat , Elias said to Bernt he must now needs believe that he too was about to be `` along o ' mother ! '' -LSB- 10 -RSB- but that he had a strong hope that Bernt , at any rate , would be saved , if he only held out like a man . Then he told him all about the _ Draug _ , whom he had struck below the neck with the _ Kvejtepig _ , and how it had now revenged itself upon him , and certainly would not forbear till it was `` quits with him . '' It was towards nine o'clock in the morning when the grey dawn began to appear . Then Elias gave to Bernt , who sat alongside him , his silver watch with the brass chain , which he had snapped in two in order to drag it from beneath his closely buttoned jacket . He held on for a little time longer , but , as it got lighter , Bernt saw that his father 's face was deadly pale , his hair too had parted here and there , as often happens when death is at hand , and his skin was chafed off his hands from holding on to the keel . The son understood now that his father was nearly at the last gasp , and tried , so far as the pitching and tossing would allow it , to hold him up ; but when Elias marked it , he said , `` Nay , look to thyself , Bernt , and hold on fast .