noon
Fortunately for him , the `` yaller-jawed pigmies '' understood not a word of all this ; else , notwithstanding his superior size and strength , he might have had rough handling from them . Without that , he was badly plagued by their behaviour , as a bull fretted with flies ; which may have had something to do with his readiness to go down into the drain . There , up to his elbows , he was less conspicuous , and so less an object of curiosity . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It had got to be noon , with the sun at fire heat ; but for all the _ forzados _ were kept on at work . No rest for them until the task should be completed , and they taken back to their prison quarters at a late hour of the afternoon . The cruel gaoler told them so in a jeering way . He seemed to take a pleasure in making things disagreeable to them , as he strutted to and fro along their line , flourishing his _ quirt _ , and giving grand exhibition of his `` brief authority . ''