midnight
Rayner was surprised to hear this , supposing that the captain intended to pull out to sea , whereas he had resolved to go overland to the part of the coast which probably the ship in distress was approaching . Although where the frigate lay was tolerably smooth water , yet , from the white-crested seas which broke outside , and the roaring of the wind as it swept over the land , it was very evident that no boat could live when once from under its shelter . The captain , accompanied by three gun-room officers , Rayner and another midshipman , and twenty men , landed at the nearest spot where the boats could put in , and proceeded overland in the direction from which the sound of the guns had come . Again and again they boomed forth through the midnight air . Solemnly they struck on the ear , telling of danger and death . Scarcely , however , had the party proceeded a quarter of a mile than they ceased . In vain they were listened for .