about midnight
Why had he gone to the diamond mines ? Yes , now he knew -- to take back to New York the two big stones found on the Company 's land . He had them safe in a belt he wore round his waist next to his skin . The second night out he went to bed about midnight and was fast asleep when suddenly he heard shouts of `` Fire ! Fire ! '' Jumping up and looking out of his cabin he saw stewards and passengers running excitedly about . There was a reddish glare and a suffocating smell of smoke .