midnight
All hands , from Ryan himself down to the smallest boy in the ship , were dreadfully disgusted and crestfallen at our want of success ; and we were only waiting for a breeze to spring up from somewhere to enable us to shape a course back to our cruising ground . The weather , however , was still very overcast and lowering , with signs not wanting that another heavy thunderstorm was brewing , which would probably bring us the desired breeze . There was not much swell running , but sufficient , nevertheless , to tumble the schooner about a good deal ; and I had accordingly taken it upon myself to clew up , haul down , and furl every stitch of canvas , in order to save the sails from battering themselves to rags . The thunder had been gradually working up ever since sunset , and in fact even before that , and when eight bells struck at midnight , and my watch below came round , the weather had such a curious and portentous look , and the atmosphere was moreover so close and heavy , that I determined to stretch myself out `` all standing '' on the stern grating instead of going below , so that I might be all ready in case my presence should be required . It was shortly after two bells when Pierrepoint came and roused me out with the remark -- `` I am sorry to disturb you , Dugdale , but I think it is going to rain very shortly , and if you remain there you stand a very good chance of getting soaked to the skin . And what do you think of the weather ? Is it merely a thunder-squall that has been brewing all this time , or what is it ?