midnight
The night was far from dark , a tropical sky glittering with a thousand stars , and even the ocean itself appearing to emit a sombre , melancholy light . By the aid of such assistants it was possible to see several miles , and more especially to note objects on the margin of the ocean . When the young man cast his eyes to leeward , as directed by Columbus , he very plainly perceived a point where the blue of the sky ceased , and a dark mound rose from the water , stretching for a few leagues southward , and then terminated , as it had commenced , by a union between the watery margin of the ocean and the void of heaven . The intermediate space had the defined outline , the density , and the hue of land , as seen at midnight . `` Behold the Indies ! '' said Columbus ; `` the mighty problem is solved ! This is doubtless an island , but a continent is near .