noon
Tom made his usual visit to Flag-staff Hill , and came back with the same report as on the previous evening . `` Before we launch our boat , '' he said , when he rejoined the party at breakfast , `` we must dismantle our tent ; and indeed it is not wise to wear out our sail by using it as a roof . We may want it , and we shall certainly require the oars . I therefore propose , should the ship not appear by noon , to build a hut in the place of the tent , and we shall then have shelter , should we require it , at night . We can not tell what we may need . The hurricane season is not yet over , we may depend upon that . We came in for the first blow , and there may be several others before the weather becomes settled . ''