midday
Therefore , Fonseca , put the gag back into his mouth , for the moment , and then cast his feet adrift , so that he can walk down to the boats instead of being carried . And while you are doing that , I will take a final look outside , and attend to a certain little matter before we leave . '' And , so saying , I picked up the maul and walked out of the building . A careful look all round satisfied me that there was nobody in sight ; and as for the party up at the house , it was about time for their midday meal , and they were probably getting it . I therefore made my way to the spot where the hauled-up boats were lying , and deliberately smashed in two or three of the bottom planks of each , thus rendering them quite unserviceable for the moment . Then , returning to the capstan-house , I gave the word to march , and the whole party , now five in number , including Jose , filed across the wharf and down the steps into the leading gig ; the painter was cast off , and Fonseca and I taking an oar apiece , we pushed off and , with the other three boats in tow , made our way slowly toward the brig. And then , suddenly , a dreadful apprehension seized me . `` By Jove , Fonseca , '' I exclaimed , `` I have never thought of it until this moment , but what is going to happen if there are any people left aboard the brig ?