midnight
They were now , he said , on their return from a trading voyage to a neighbouring island , where they had just disposed of a cargo of mats and tappa , in exchange for baskets of native manufacture , and sharks ' teeth . Having been becalmed all the preceding day and night , they feared that they had drifted out of their course , since , otherwise , they ought , after making full allowance for the calm , to have already reached their own island . He finished by assuring us , that we might calculate with confidence , upon enjoying perfect security and kind treatment among these people . The conference being concluded , he directed us to put up our sail , and steer after the canoe ; adding that he expected to reach the group before midnight if the wind held fair . He spoke with the air of one delivering a command , and evidently considered us entirely under his control . But of course we felt no disposition to object to what he directed . The fact , that the natives had treated him and his companions so well , was an encouragement to us , as affording some proof of their friendly and peaceful character , and we supposed that he could have no possible motive for using his influence to our prejudice .