ten o'clock
The fact is , '' he continued in more serious tones , `` I could not sleep when I first attempted to do so . My thoughts were busy with the task that lay before me ; and I could not see how it was to be done in the time that I had allowed myself . The way that I looked at the matter was this : I had arranged that we were to start from here at eight o'clock . By the time that we had found our way round to the village where we hoped to get a canoe , it would be nearly or quite nine ; and by the time that we reached Cartagena it would be ten o'clock , or after ; there would be no work doing , and most of the good folk would be abed ; thus I should stand a very poor chance of gaining any information worth having . The proper time for me to be ashore , there , is during the day , when everybody is astir , when there are plenty of people about to talk to and ask questions of , and when they will be too busy to take particular note of me , and wonder who I am and where I came from . So I altered my plan , deferring our departure until now , which will afford me plenty of time to get into the city before daylight . Then I shall have the whole day before me , if I find that I require it , in which to look about me and make a few discreet enquiries ; and as soon after dark as it is safe to return I will come back ; reaching the boat , if all be well , in time to go out and rejoin the _ Adventure _ to-morrow night about this time .