midnight
The woman muttered her thanks , and her leech reseated himself in silence , to await the operation of the dose . In less than half an hour the breathing of Esther became so profound , and , as the Doctor himself might have termed it , so very abstracted , that had he not known how easy it was to ascribe this new instance of somnolency to the powerful dose of opium with which he had garnished the brandy , he might have seen reason to distrust his own prescription . With the sleep of the restless woman , the stillness became profound and general . Then Dr. Battius saw fit to arise , with the silence and caution of the midnight robber , and to steal out of his own cabin , or rather kennel , for it deserved no better name , towards the adjoining dormitories . Here he took time to assure himself that all his neighbours were buried in deep sleep . Once advised of this important fact , he hesitated no longer , but commenced the difficult ascent which led to the upper pinnacle of the rock . His advance , though abundantly guarded , was not entirely noiseless ; but while he was felicitating himself on having successfully effected his object , and he was in the very act of placing his foot on the highest ledge a hand was laid upon the skirts of his coat , which as effectually put an end to his advance , as if the gigantic strength of Ishmael himself had pinned him to the earth .