noon
Plum having decided to go home with Jack , it was necessary for him to return to De la Pama for his money . `` I will be back sure , Jack , on the third , if not before , '' were his parting words . Captain Hillgrove ran into Cobija the next morning , when the loading of the nitrates was begun with as little delay as possible , Jack feeling in the best of spirits as he superintended the work . But on the eve of the third day , Jack having got the last of the cargo aboard a little after noon , to his anxiety , Plum Plucky had not appeared . `` He will surely come before morning , unless something has happened to him , for I never knew Plum to break his word , '' said Jack to the skipper . `` Ca n't wait any longer ! '' declared captain Hillgrove the following morning , when it was found that Plum was still missing .