The fore propeller not been got into place, and to finish it would take another three hours.

After some conversation with Tom Turner it was decided to give the crew a rest, and postpone what required to be done to the next morning.
The final adjustment was a matter of extreme nicety, and the electric lamps did not give so suitable a light for such work as the daylight.
Uncle Prudent and Phil Evans were not aware of this.

They had understood that the screw would be in place during the night, and that the "Albatross" would be on her way to the north.
The night was dark and moonless.

Heavy clouds made the darkness deeper.

A light breeze began to rise.