noon
He had certainly summoned the strength to escape to the cave , but there he might have died . All the waste sections of Sidney 's bamboo were thrown with his cannon and his flag-pole in the sea . A thorough search was made of Elaine 's former shelter , as well as of all the rock heaps on the place , for the treasure the man might have taken from the cave and concealed about his camp . Not until some time after noon did the visitors finally leave the hill and disappear in the jungle growth to mature their further plans . Elaine knew nothing of their departure . She still remained back in the darkness of the gallery , and , therefore , neither heard nor saw the movements made on the ledge . She was hardly less prepared than before to see the door of the gallery rudely torn away at any moment , and the hideous head-hunters confidently pouncing in upon her .