midnight
The stillness of the wood was unbroken , and Frank felt that he must have wandered far indeed from his starting place , and that he was completely lost . His first impulse was to start off instantly at the top of his speed , but a moment 's thought convinced him that this would be useless . He had not an idea of the direction which he should pursue . Besides the sun was sinking , twilight is short in the tropics , and in half an hour it would be as dark as midnight in the forest . Remembering his adventure with the leopard he determined to climb into a tree and pass the night there . He knew that an active search would be set on foot by his friends next morning , and that , as every step he took was as likely to lead him from as towards the camp , it was better to stay where he was . He soon found a tree with a branch which would suit his purpose , and , climbing up into it , lit his pipe and prepared for an uncomfortable night .