one o’clock in the morning
`` Not yet , '' replied the captain ; `` but it is close at hand . '' And he went on giving his orders to the men , and doing his best to make ready for the storm , standing , like an officer commanding a breach , with his face to the wind , and his gaze fixed on the troubled sky . The glass had fallen to 26 degrees , and the hand pointed to tempest . It was one o'clock in the morning when Lady Helena and Miss Grant ventured upstairs on deck . But they no sooner made their appearance than the captain hurried toward them , and begged them to go below again immediately . The waves were already beginning to dash over the side of the ship , and the sea might any moment sweep right over her from stem to stern . The noise of the warring elements was so great that his words were scarcely audible , but Lady Helena took advantage of a sudden lull to ask if there was any danger .