midnight
While engaged in hunting a vessel upon which to take passage , he encountered his own acquaintances continually , and he needed not their black faces and scowling eyes to tell how they thirsted to kill him for his treachery . It was only by his bold front and constant watchfulness that he kept the dusky demons at a distance . Some of them were seen when the three ventured out , and though the pirates dared not attack them in open daylight , they were on the verge of doing so more than once . But their fury was directed principally against Captain Fred Sanders , and there can be no doubt the youth spoke the truth when he declared that if he attempted to stay on land until morning , he would not live till midnight . Mr. Storms laid in a good supply of clothing , shoes and knick-knacks for himself and Inez , and with as little delay as possible . When they reached the wharf and approached the plank leading to the deck of the schooner , Mr. Storms noticed a small man standing a few feet off , with a blanket drawn up about his shoulders and neck like an Indian . His legs , feet and head were bare , but a huge bandage was bound around his forehead , giving him a grotesque appearance .