noon
`` The rascals still expect to catch us , '' he said , `` but we must hope that they 'll be disappointed . However , we 're prepared for them . '' For some hours the breeze continued steady . Soon after noon it again fell , and our pursuers crept closer to us . It was somewhat exciting , and kept us all alive , though it did not spoil our appetites . The whole of the day they were in sight , but when the wind freshened up again in the evening we once more distanced them . The night passed as the former had done .