midnight
We learned that the number of eggs laid at one sitting varies from twelve up to forty . We had great fun in collecting the eggs and generally playing with the turtles . I am afraid we got out of sight of the men , and did not notice that the weather showed decided signs of a sudden change . When at length the crew found us it was past midnight -- though not very dark ; and though we ought to have been making preparations for returning to the ship , it was blowing hard . On account of this , the crew said they did not consider it advisable to launch the boat ; and as we had our big cloaks with us , it was decided to remain on the island all night to see if the weather improved by the morning . Our ship was anchored fully three miles away , outside the reefs , and it would have been impossible , in the sea that was running , to pull out to her . There was only one white man among our protectors , and he was a Scotchman .