midnight
There was no other choice left me but to make my way along the beach , which , although it would increase the distance by five or six miles , would yet afford me a sound and level highway for my journeying , the sand being firm and hard when the water was out at low tide . That night I wrote a lengthy letter to Mr. Langely , giving him full particulars as to what I was about to undertake , and also instructions as to how he should proceed in the event of my not returning from my adventure . I also wrote my will , and settled all my affairs as well as I was able . This took until nigh midnight . All this I managed to do without the knowledge of any one , and by the light of a little wick floating in a dish of oil , the flame of which I kept so well shaded that no one perceived it in all that time . About one o'clock I came out from my hut , and found the stars shining most beautifully in the sky , and all the air full of the noises of the night . I did not tarry , however , but walked straight to the beach , and along it towards the northern end of the island , around which and beyond the cape I knew the bay to lie , about ten leagues distant from the king 's town .