noon
`` I waited not to see what he would do , but darted away , and , catching my horse , was off as hard as I could ride . Before I had gone many rods , I heard a horse 's gallop behind me , and , looking back , saw Miguel at full speed . 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 .