noon
The father , before leaving , had enjoined upon both of them to take a bath ; ablution having become very necessary on account of their having been so long cribbed up in the somewhat dirty pinnace . It would be also of service in promoting their restoration to health and strength . They went into the water , not together , but at some distance apart -- Henry choosing to go down to the sea , while Helen entered the stream close by , as it had clear water with a smooth , sandy bed ; besides , she thought it was safer , being free from surf or currents . It was only safer in appearance , as the sequel proved ; for the hunters and fisherman had scarce scattered off out of hearing , when a cry broke upon the still air of noon that startled the bright-winged birds of the Bornean forest , and stopped their songs as quickly as would have done a shot from Captain Redwood 's rifle . It was heard by the captain himself , strolling among the tree trunks , and looking aloft for game ; by Murtagh on the river bank , endeavouring to beguile the sly fish to his baited hook ; by Saloo , wading knee-deep in search of Singapore oysters ; and by Henry swimming about upon the buoyant incoming tide . More distinctly than all the rest , the little Helen heard it -- since it was she who gave it utterance . It was a cry of distress , and brought all the others together , and running toward the point whence it came .