Friday at midnight
`` I 'm going to the next seaport to find another berth , since I 've refused to sail on the _ Huntress _ , '' he explained in answer to her questions . `` Mr. Martin has had to get a new skipper and a new crew , for none of the old hands would sail when they heard it was against your father 's wishes . There was a bark came in from Delaware to be laid up for repairs , with mostly Swedes aboard , and they have manned the _ Huntress _ from her . The ship is to sail on Friday at midnight , with the turning tide , but she goes without Ben Barton . '' He dropped his voice and came nearer . `` I will tell you this -- though I should not , '' he said . `` There 's some one to join at the last minute , who will get into a boat waiting at the wharf in the dark , some one you love , miss , who ought to be stopping ashore with the rest of us .