midnight
Naturally the fear of the two was that their pursuers might repair the accident which was throwing them to the rear for the time , and regain what was lost . They steadily fell behind , and , as soon as invisible , the proa made an abrupt change in her course , with the view of defeating the calamity that they feared threatened them . When this had lasted for an hour , another change was effected , with the result , as Sanders announced , that they were now heading directly for Wauparmur . The eyes peering backward through the vivid moonlight failed to bring the dreaded craft to view , and it was not yet midnight when Sanders announced the thrilling fact that the twinkling lights , which appeared in front like a constellation in the horizon , were made by the dwellings in the native South Sea town of Wauparmur . All danger was past , and about an hour later the proa glided in among the shipping in that excellent harbor , made fast to the wharf , and the three disembarked . Fred led the way to a house of entertainment near the harbor , in which he found good lodging for his friends . Abram Storms carried all the precious pearls to his room and carefully secured the door , after which he threw himself upon the bed and slept as soundly as an infant .