noon
`` The people here treat us very handsomely , my little larky , '' said Captain Flanger , with a coarse laugh . `` I am not to be scared out of my game by any such bugbears as you talk about . But I am willing to say this , my little rooster : I have no intention to hang you to the yard-arm , as you hinted that I might . '' `` At noon to-day you swore that you would kill me . '' `` I have altered my mind , as I told you before , '' growled the commander of the Snapper , with very ill grace , as though he was ashamed because he had abandoned his purpose to commit a murder . `` I am not what you call a temperance man ; and when I get ashore , and in good company , I sometimes take a little more good whiskey than it is prudent ; but I do n't drink anything on board of my ship . To cut it short , I was a little too much in the wind when I said I was going to kill you .