midnight
The sea was growing calmer . But there was still a heavy swell , which made his departure , for the present at least , impossible . The day , too , was far advanced . For the sloop with its burden to get to Guernsey before midnight , it was necessary to start in the morning . Although pressed by hunger , Gilliatt began by stripping himself , the only means of getting warmth . His clothing was saturated by the storm , but the rain had washed out the sea-water , which rendered it possible to dry them . He kept nothing on but his trousers , which he turned up nearly to the knees .