about midnight
The wind , however , continued very light , and the boat glided forward , as well as we could judge , steering by the stars , towards the point we desired to gain . I kept my eyes about me as long as they would consent to remain open , though it was often a difficult task . Several times I was nodding , when Arthur aroused me with his voice . It must have been about midnight , when , looking astern , I saw a dark shadowy form gliding over the surface of the ocean . I rubbed my eyes , supposing it to be a thing of the imagination ; but there it was , not many cable-lengths off , coming up towards us . `` See ! see , Arthur !