midnight
Of the truth of this , I had immediately a proof ; for I caught the sound of a continuous rustling among them , and then a nearer note of growling , as though a wild beast purred at my elbow . Immediately upon this , I caught the bo ` sun 's voice , calling in a low tone to Josh , the eldest ` prentice , who had the charge of our boat , to come alongside of him ; for he would have the boats together . Then got we out the oars and laid the boats together in the midst of the creek ; and so we watched through the night , being full of fear , so that we kept our speech low ; that is , so low as would carry our thoughts one to the other through the noise of the growling . And so the hours passed , and naught happened more than I have told , save that once , a little after midnight , the trees opposite to us seemed to be stirred again , as though some creature , or creatures , lurked among them ; and there came , a little after that , a sound as of something stirring the water up against the bank ; but it ceased in a while and the silence fell once more . Thus , after a weariful time , away Eastwards the sky began to tell of the coming of the day ; and , as the light grew and strengthened , so did that insatiable growling pass hence with the dark and the shadows . And so at last came the day , and once more there was borne to us the sad wailing that had preceded the night . For a certain while it lasted , rising and falling most mournfully over the vastness of the surrounding wastes , until the sun was risen some degrees above the horizon ; after which it began to fail , dying away in lingering echoes , most solemn to our ears .