About six o'clock
By the time we had thoroughly explored the plateau and its surroundings it was nearly daylight , and still we had discovered no trace of the missing man . Just as the sun rose above the sea line we descended the hill again and commenced a second search along the beach , with no better luck , however , than on the previous occasion . Wetherell and our assailants seemed to have completely disappeared from the island . About six o'clock , thoroughly worn out , we returned to the spot where the boat was waiting for us . What was to be done ? We could not for obvious reasons leave the island and abandon the old gentleman to his fate , and yet it seemed useless to remain there looking for him , when he might have been spirited away elsewhere . Suddenly one of the crew , who had been loitering behind , came into view waving something in his hand .