noon
I thought I had swallowed fire , for I had taken a good mouthful of it . `` This can not be what Jackson called spirits , '' said I. `` No one can drink this -- what can it be ? '' Although I had not swallowed more than a table-spoonful of it , yet , combined with the fumes of the liquor which I had inhaled when drawing it off into the pannikin , the effect was to make my head swim , and I lay down on the rock and shut my eyes to recover myself . It ended in my falling asleep for many hours , for it was not much after noon when I went to the cask , and it was near sunset when I awoke , with an intense pain in my head . It was some time before I could recollect where I was , or what had passed , but the pannikin full of liquor by my side first reminded me ; and then perceiving how late it was , and how long I must have slept , I rose up , and taking the pannikin in my hand , I hastened to return to the cabin . As I approached , I heard the voice of Jackson , whose hearing , since his blindness , I had observed , had become peculiarly acute . `` Is that you , Frank ? ''