nearly noon
`` Let 's see you get one , Father ! '' It was a great delight to lie back on the seat with the consciousness of a great feat achieved , to watch the gulls and sea-birds overhead and the flying-fish skimming the rippling sea . Major Dare had excellent sport with a couple of yellowtail -- one of which was played fifty minutes and the other thirty-five -- but the honors of the day rested with Colin . It was nearly noon as the little launch came up to the pier , and the sun was burning hot , but there were a score of loungers on the beach to welcome them . `` Any luck , Vincente ? '' called a friendly boatman , as the little craft sped by . `` Good luck , '' was the reply .