about midnight
Such was Niâbon 's story of _ Te Mata Toto _ , and both Lucia and myself were glad to get away from the immediate vicinity of the tragedy , and return to our camping place near the boat , where we found both Tematau and Tepi awaiting us with some fine mullet , which I supplemented later on by a few plover . In the afternoon , whilst the women slept , the two men and myself cleaned our firearms , and attended to various matters on the boat . At sunset the breeze came away freshly from the old quarter -- the south-east -- and by dark we were at sea again , heading due north for Makin , the most northerly of the Gilbert Group , which was eighty miles distant , and which island I wanted to sight before keeping away north-west for the Caroline Archipelago , for there was a long stretch between , and I was not too brilliant a navigator . However , we were not to see Makin Island , for about midnight the wind chopped round to the north -- right ahead -- and by daylight we had to reef down and keep away for the south point of Apaian , in the hope that by running along the east coast for a few miles we might get shelter . But we found it impossible to anchor owing to the heavy sea running ; neither could we turn back and make for our former anchorage , which was now exposed to the full strength of the wind and sweep of the sea . We certainly could make the passage at the north end of Tarawa -- near the Island of the Bloody Eye -- and run into the lagoon , where we should be in smooth water ; but we did not want to go back to Tarawa , under any circumstances -- my own pride , quite apart from my companions ' feelings , would not let me entertain that idea for an instant . To attempt to beat back round the south point of Apaian , and get into Apaian Lagoon would be madness , for the sea in the straits was now running mountains high , owing to a strong westerly current , and the wind was steadily increasing in violence ; and even had it not been so , and we could have got inside easily , would either Lucia or myself have cared to avail ourselves of its security .