six o'clock in the morning
He saw them in imagination -- yellow skins , brown skins , black skins , picturesque , daring , desperate perhaps . The anchor splashed overboard into the shallow water , and the small steamer drifted on the end of the chain , waiting for a boat to come out from shore . With the cessation of the steamer 's movement , he felt the heat radiate round him , in an overpowering wave , making him feel rather sick and giddy . Yet it was only six o'clock in the morning . Before the boat arrived from shore , the sun had passed over the highest peak of the mountains and was glaring down with full power upon the cluster of hidden bungalows , the edges and ends of which bungalows protruded a little from the shelter of vines and palm trees . White clad men came down to the beach , and a woman or two appeared on the verandahs , and then disappeared back into the verandahs , while the men came down to the water 's edge alone . The rowboat was pulled ashore by strong rowers , dark skinned , brawny men , and as the boat neared the beach , other dark skinned brawny men took a carrying chair and splashed out to meet the boat , inviting him by gestures to step into the chair and be carried ashore .