midnight
He was satisfied that it was a light in some house in the village , probably in the upper story . It soon disappeared , and it was thought to be occasioned by the late retiring of some person . `` I should say , Captain Blowitt , that we are not more than five miles outside of Seahorse Key , '' said Mr. Amblen , after he had interpreted the meaning of the light . `` It is after midnight , and these people are not in the habit of sitting up so late . '' `` If they are shipping much cotton from this port , it is not improbable that there is a force here to protect the vessels , whatever they are , '' added the commander . `` Of that , of course , I can know nothing ; but I shall expect to find a Confederate battery somewhere on the point , and I know about where to look for it . '' `` The place has never been of any great importance , and you can hardly expect to find a very strong force in it , '' added the captain .