midnight
Steadily the wind increased , the sea became restless , and the sharp chops thundering at the weather bow , veering the ship from her course , rendering it necessary to keep her head a point nearer the westward , betokened a gale . To leeward were the Bahamas , their dangerous banks spreading awe among the passengers , and exciting the fears of the more timid . On the starboard bow was Key West , with its threatening and deceptive reefs , but far enough ahead to be out of danger . At midnight , the wind , which had increased to a gale , howled in threatening fierceness . Overhead , the leaden clouds hung low their massive folds , and thick spray buried the decks and rigging ; beneath , the angry ocean spread out in resistless waves of phosphorous light , and the gallant craft surged to and fro like a thing of life on a plain of rolling fire . Now she yields to the monster wave threatening her bow , over another she rides proudly , and to a third her engines slowly rumble round , as with half-buried deck she careens to its force . The man at the wheel , whose head we see near a glimmering light at the stern , watches anxiously for the word of command , and when received , executes it with quickness .