midnight
They overtook and passed two other bergantins returning from the city and they met a third on its way thither with vegetables for the morning market . Benito knew the owners and exchanged a brief word with everyone as he passed . Ned pulled silently at his oar . When it was far past midnight Ned felt a cool breeze rising . Benito began to unfurl the sail . `` You have pulled well , young señor , '' he said to Ned , `` but the oar is needed no more . Now the wind will work for us .