About midnight
Many was the secret _ pater _ , or _ ave _ , that was mumbled by the mariners , and not a few vows of future prayers were made , in the hope of obtaining a breeze . Occasionally it seemed as if Providence listened to these petitions , for the air would fan the cheek , and the sails would fall , in the vain expectation of getting ahead ; but disappointment as often followed , until all on board felt that they were fated to linger under the visitations of a calm . Just at nightfall , however , a light air arose , and , for a few hours , the wash of the parted waters was audible under the bows of the vessels , though their way was barely sufficient to keep them under the command of their helms . About midnight , however , even this scarcely perceptible motion was lost , and the craft were again lazily wallowing in the ground-swells that the gales had sent in from the vast expanse of the Western Ocean . When the light reappeared , the admiral found himself between Gomera and Teneriffe , the lofty peak of the latter casting its pointed shadow , like that thrown by a planet , far upon the water , until its sharp apex was renewed , in faint mimicry , along the glassy surface of the ocean . Columbus was now fearful that the Portuguese might employ their boats , or impel some light felucca by her sweeps , in order to find out his position ; and he wisely directed the sails to be furled , in order to conceal his vessels , as far as possible , from any prying eyes . The season had advanced to the 7th of September , and such was the situation of this renowned expedition , exactly five weeks after it had left Spain ; for this inauspicious calm occurred on a Friday , or on that day of the week on which it had originally sailed .