midnight
At the end of five minutes the pea-pod was afloat . Percy tossed in his suit-case and clambered hastily aboard . There was no time to waste . He wished to put as much salt water as possible between himself and Tarpaulin Island before midnight . Shipping his oars , he began to row , using infinite care lest creaking rowlock or splashing blade betray him . Gradually he drew out of the cove , and there was less need of caution . As he rounded Brimstone Point he cast one last , long look at the cabin , square and black and silent .