midnight
although I fear if we put it off till to-morrow you may be too late . We will , however , wait for you if you will come . '' `` Yes , '' he answered , `` wait ! I will be on shore an hour before midnight . By that time the black fellows will have turned in . Tell the negro who brought you off that there will be a couple of doubloons for him if he comes alongside at the hour I name . If he fails me , I must swim on shore , although there is a risk of being snapt up by a shark or a stray crocodile .