midnight
`` I should prefer facing the lion in his den ; or , hearing that there are strangers in the island , he may suspect , and send for us , if we avoid him . Besides , I fear we may have difficulty in enabling Miss Garden to escape from the tower ; and I should wish to visit the mistico to procure a rope and block to lower her , if necessary , from the window . The bay is not more than two miles from the tower , and it will excite less suspicion if we are seen going there , as if with the intention of sleeping on board the mistico ; and the old pirate knows , perfectly well , that we can not get her off without his assistance . I propose that we remain on board the mistico till an hour before midnight , and while you go on to prepare the boat , I will remain to assist Miss Garden in escaping from the tower , and we will then follow directly after you . '' `` Well , sir , I think your plan is the safest and best , because we shall then be independent of everybody , '' said Bowse . `` It will be somewhat more fatiguing , perhaps , for it will give us a long walk over very rough ground ; but that is not a matter to be thought of with the object we have in view . But , by Heavens , sir !