noon
On the following morning they were astir very early , and Mrs. Arkwright was so much better that she offered to sit again upon her mule . The men , however , declared that they would finish their task , and she was placed again upon the litter . And then with slow and weary step they did make their way to the river bank . It was not yet noon when they saw the mud fort which stands there , and as they drew into the enclosure round a small house which stands close by the river side , they saw the three postmen still busy about their packages . `` Thank God ! '' said Arkwright . `` Thank God , indeed ! ''