an hour after midnight
The time between then and midnight was passed by Dick in a state of feverish suspense , that toward the end became almost unendurable , causing him to start and jump at every trivial sound that reached his ear . A dozen times at least he sprang to his feet with the joyous exclamation of `` Here he is ! '' when the flutter of a dry leaf falling from its parent bough , the soft rustle of foliage in the night wind , or the movement of some restless bird broke the silence of that secluded spot ; but he was always mistaken . The Captain came not ; and at length his watch informed him that the time was half an hour after midnight . Then he rose to his feet with a sigh of bitter disappointment and said : `` It is no good , lads ; we must not delay our departure any longer ; we have allowed the Captain half an hour 's grace , and if he could have come he would have been with us before now . Without doubt he is a prisoner , and we can best serve him now by returning to the ship with all speed and reporting the fact of his capture to the others , who must then decide whether or not we shall sail into the harbour , attack the town , and endeavour to rescue him . Cast off the painter , and let us be moving without further delay . ''