noon
`` Because , if you remember it the third island was to the south of Venture , and not to the north as we really found it . '' It was late that afternoon when Clifford awoke , and plainly much , refreshed , and improved physically . When he saw the Professor he said : `` I have not told you all , but I want the boys here for that purpose , because I know it will interest them . '' When the boys arrived they awaited the coming of John , who informed them that Uraso had received word of the capture of Walter , but that he would not arrive until noon . Clifford greeted them effusively , and it was evident that he had recovered his spirits , and was well on the road to recovery . After some general talk on uninteresting topics , he began his story : `` I was on the vessel with Ephraim when we ran into the monsoon which wrecked the vessel . After days of suffering I became unconscious , and when the spar finally reached the shore , I was aroused sufficiently to save myself , and after wandering around for some time , came up to a tribe of natives , who took good care of me .