midnight
Poor Jack was very gentle and uncomplaining . He even made light of his misfortune , and laughed a good deal at himself ; but I could see , nevertheless , that his spirits were at times deeply affected , in spite of his brave efforts to bear up and appear gay and cheerful . It was evening when we were cast ashore in this new country , so that we had not advanced far into the forest before night closed in and compelled us to halt ; for , had we continued our journey in the dark , we should certainly have been drowned in one of the many deep morasses which abounded there , and which we had found it difficult to steer clear of , even in daylight . As the moon arose and the stars began to glimmer in the sky , I observed , to my dismay , that all kinds of noxious creatures and creeping things began to move about , and strange hissing sounds and low dismal hootings and wails were heard at times indistinctly , as if the place were the abode of evil spirits , who were about to wake up to indulge in their midnight orgies . `` Oh ! Jack , '' said I , shuddering violently , as I stopped and seized my companion by the arm . `` I ca n't tell what it is that fills me with an unaccountable sensation of dread .