about midnight
The cushions were torn ; the blinds were a wreck ; two stops in the harmonium were pulled out bodily . After the service the missionary was solemnly waited on by a deputation . They were closeted for an hour and a half , but no one , except themselves , ever knew what was said or done . The only circumstances that one could in any way connect with this mysterious council was that about midnight a small boat was seen stealthily putting out to sea . It contained two figures -- one , who rowed , was the senior elder ; the other , who sat in the stern , looked like a very small boy . The day was not yet broken when the ` watch ' of the ship _ Vulcan _ , lying becalmed off the -- coast , was roused by a peculiar noise aft . Going to the spot he was surprised to find a much-bedraggled monkey rubbing itself on a pile of sail-cloth .