noon
A copy of this was then carried to the pole on Observation Hill , and nailed to the mast , to replace the small tablet which had hitherto filled that place . They were to launch the boat for the start on the morrow . That night a storm blew up from the west , as most of the winds had previously blown from that quarter during the past month . The storm was severe during the entire night , and abated somewhat in the forenoon , but it again increased in fury before noon and continued with more or less vigor all that day and during the night . `` I am afraid this storm will prevent us from starting for several days , on account of its widespread character . The sea for hundreds of miles has been subject to this monsoon , and we would have a very rough time until the sea quiets down . '' The delay was a bitter thing for the boys .