midnight
Can I bring him to your house ? '' Very tenderly and slowly the whaleboat 's crew carried the crushed and mutilated form of the `` dandiest boy '' to the house , and whilst I helped the _ Asia 's _ cooper make a coffin , Teveiva sat outside with the heartbroken old skipper , and spoke to him in his broken English of the Life Beyond . And so Walter Tallis , the last of an old Dorset family , was laid to rest in the little isle in the quiet lagoon . For two days our schooner lay in sight of the island ; and then , as midnight came , the blue sky became black , and the ship was snugged down for the coming storm . The skipper sent up a rocket so that it might be seen by the people on shore -- to verify my prophecy about a change in the weather . Came then the wind and the sweet , blessed rain , and as the schooner , under reefed canvas , plunged to the rising sea , the folk of Nukutavake , I felt certain , stood outside their houses , and let the cooling Heaven-sent streams drench their smooth , copper-coloured skins , whilst good old Teveiva gave thanks to God . For the Samoans I have always had a great admiration and affection .