nine o'clock in
the evening
I knew the matter had been studied by meteorologists , and that they believe they may safely affirm that the needle is not affected by this condition of the atmosphere . I will add here that since we had left the South Pole behind no confidence could be placed in the indications of the compass ; it had gone wild at the approach to the magnetic pole , to which we were no doubt on the way . Nothing could be known , therefore , concerning the course of the iceberg . The sun did not set quite below the horizon at this period , yet the waters were wrapped in tolerably deep darkness at nine o'clock in the evening , when the muster of the crew took place . On this occasion each man as usual answered to his name except Dirk Peters . The call was repeated in the loudest of Hurliguerly 's stentorian tones . No reply .