midnight
The wind did not sensibly increase , and Paul dared to hope that the gale would not break upon them . At nine o'clock he bade half the boys go below and turn in , assuring them they would be called at one o'clock . The order was obeyed , but not one of the boys could sleep until nearly half of their watch below had expired . Hour after hour Paul kept his position at the helm , till the clock in the cabin indicated midnight . The watch on deck had taken turns at the lookout on the bowsprit . No event had occurred to disturb the monotony of the scene , except that they narrowly escaped being run down by a large schooner . The fog had begun to dissipate , and by one o'clock they had passed entirely out of it ; but the wind had increased in violence , and at this time it blew a fresh gale .