midnight
This will be safer than cutting his throat on shore . I 've tried the plan , and found it answer . The Northern Ocean keeps a secret better than the Thames , Sir Rowland . Before midnight , your nephew shall be safe beneath the hatches of the Zeeslang . '' `` Poor child ! '' muttered Trenchard , abstractedly ; `` the whole scene upon the river is passing before me . I hear the splash in the water -- I see the white object floating like a sea-bird on the tide -- it will not sink ! '' ''