midnight
It seemed as if the whole vessel had parted . The voices of the sailors now rose together , and all was confusion and uproar . Ferdinand ran up to the deck , and learned that part of the main mast , borne away by the wind , had fallen upon the deck , whence it had rolled overboard . It was now past midnight , and the storm continued with unabated fury . For four hours the vessel had been driven before the blast ; and the captain now declared it was impossible she could weather the tempest much longer , ordered the long boat to be in readiness . His orders were scarcely executed , when the ship bulged upon a reef of rocks , and the impetuous waves rushed into the vessel : -- a general groan ensued . Ferdinand flew to save his sister , whom he carried to the boat , which was nearly filled by the captain and most of the crew .