noon
With repugnance written on his face , he took several swallows of the fiery liquor . It ran through his veins like fire . Shoving the bottle into his pocket , he succeeded in staggering to his feet and slowly pulled himself up on one of the mangrove 's roots , and , pausing frequently to rest , gradually worked his way to the shore . Walter 's captors slept heavily until the noon hour , when they awoke , stirred up the fire , and prepared some dinner ; but they offered none of it to the unfortunate lad , who watched its preparation with hungry eyes . Their repast finished , the two ruffians enjoyed a long smoke , after which they played a few games of cards which ended in a violent dispute that nearly resulted in blows . As the afternoon wore on without the appearance of the party they were expecting , they again composed themselves to slumber . Slowly the afternoon wore away and the two outlaws still slept on .