noon before
`` I 'll spin my yarn as soon as I 've rested a hit , lads , '' he said , as he finished the last morsel of food . `` I 'm clean spent , now , and want to stretch out for a while . '' The boys helped him up and onto his bed , which he had no sooner touched than he was fast asleep . It was noon before the old sailor awoke to find a hot dinner ready and the boys patiently waiting . He was surprised to find that his stiffness had nearly all disappeared , and , except for the cuts on hands and face , he was as well as ever again . `` My , this grub tastes good , '' he exclaimed , attacking the smoking fish and yams . `` I did n't have a bite to eat all day yesterday .