nearly noon
I stopped to permit him to come up with me , and then , without a word , we went on together . '' `` There are nearly ten leagues between San Luis Rey and San Diego , Senor ; and as we were determined to reach there by noon , we said very little during the whole ride , but urged our horses to their utmost . After going a few miles , we came to the shore , and went along by the ocean , sometimes on the beach itself , sometimes on the mesa above . But swiftly as we went , the sun was still quicker , and it was nearly noon when we came in sight of San Diego . We hastened on , past houses , the presidio , and down to the edge of the water , taking no notice of the men , women and children , who gazed wonderingly after us . Out in the bay , not far from the shore , lay a ship with sails spread , ready to start with the first puff of wind , which began faintly to blow as we reached the water . On the deck there were many people , passengers and sailors , and among them we saw our padre , a little apart from the others , and gazing toward the land he was leaving .