midday
It was the desire for adventure that had led Frank into the affair , and , now that it was over so far as surprising Gage was concerned , he was satisfied to get away quietly . He could hear the sailors calling Gage , who answered from the water , and he knew they would stop to pick the fellow up , which would give our hero a still better show of getting away . All this took place , and Frank was so well hidden by the darkness that there was not one chance in a thousand of being troubled by the ruffianly crew when another astonishing thing happened . From a point amid the tall rushes a powerful white light gleamed out and fell full and fair upon the small boat and its single occupant , revealing Frank as plainly as if by the glare of midday sunlight . `` Great Scott ! '' gasped the astonished boy . `` What is the meaning of this , I would like to know ? ''