nearly
midnight
Ever since the storm-cloud brought us the too transient shower the sky has been tolerably clear , and although at that time the wind had slightly freshened , it has since dropped , and the sail hangs idly against our mast . Except for the trifling relief it brings by modifying the temperature we care little now for any breeze . Ignorant as we are as to what quarter of the Atlantic we have been carried by the currents , it matters very little to us from what direction the wind may blow if only it would bring , in rain or dew , the moisture of which we are so dreadfully in need . The moon was entering her last quarter , so that it was dark till nearly midnight , and the stars were misty , not glowing with that lustre which is so often characteristic of cool nights . Half frantic with that sense of hunger which invariably returns with redoubled vigour at the close of every day , I threw myself , in a kind of frenzy , upon a bundle of sails that was lying on the starboard of the raft , and leaning over , I tried to get some measure of relief by inhaling the moist coolness that rarely fails to circulate just above the water . My brain was haunted by the most horrible nightmares ; not that I suppose I was in any way more distressed than my companions , who were lying in their usual places , vainly endeavouring to forget their sufferings in sleep . After a time I fell into a restless , dreamy doze .