midday
But , upon second thoughts , its very brevity brought the duel just that much closer , and so they heaved great sighs of relaxation and began craning and looking for the two to enter who would fight to the death with riatas . Instead , entered the gringo whom Don Andres had foolishly chosen for majordomo , and stood in the middle of the corral , quietly waiting while the vaqueros with their horses and riatas dragged away the carcasses of the bull and the bear . When the main gate slammed shut behind them Dade lifted his eyes to that side of the corral where the Californians were massed clannishly together , and raised his hands for silence ; got it by degrees , as a clamoring breaker subsides and dwindles to little , whispering ripple sounds ; and straightway began in the sonorous melody of the Castilian tongue which had been brought , pure and undefiled , from Spain and had not yet been greatly corrupted into the dialect spoken to-day among the descendants and called Spanish . `` Señors , and Señoras '' -LRB- so he began -RRB- , `` the hour is now midday , and there are many who have come far and are wearied . In the orchard you will find refreshment for all ; and your host , Don Andres Picardo , desires me to say for him that he will be greatly honored if you will consider that all things are yours to be used for your comfort and pleasure . `` In two hours , further sports will take place , in the open beyond this corral , so that the seats which you now occupy will serve also to give a fair view of the field . There will be riding contests , free for all caballeros to enter who so desire , and the prize will be a beautiful silver-trimmed bridle that may be seen at the saddle house .