midnight before
This is just the difference between ignorance and knowledge . While Spike himself , and every man in his brig who belonged forward , had strong misgivings as to the earthly character of the figure they had seen at the foot of the light-house , these negroes laughed at their delusion , because they happened to be in the secret of Mulford 's escape from the rock , and of that of his actual presence at the Tortugas . When , however , the same superstitious feeling was brought to bear on circumstances that lay _ without _ the sphere of their exact information , they became just as dependent and helpless as all around them ; more so , indeed , inasmuch as their previous habits and opinions disposed them to a more profound credulity . It was midnight before any of the crew of the Swash sought their rest that night . The captain had to remind them that a day of extraordinary toil was before them , ere he could get one even to quit the deck ; and when they did go below , it was to continue to discuss the subject of what they had seen at the Dry Tortugas . It appeared to be the prevalent opinion among the people , that the late event foreboded evil to the Swash , and long as most of these men had served in the brig , and much as they had become attached to her , had she gone into port that night , nearly every man forward would have run before morning . But fatigue and wonder , at length , produced their effect , and the vessel was silent as was usual at that hour .