noon
My heart seemed to take little interest in what my lips were uttering . All appeared as if I had been suddenly thrown to the bottom of a mine in utter darkness . Then , again , the glowing sun , that the day before seemed stationary in the heavens , so slow had appeared his progress , now seemed to whirl with fearful velocity , as I occasionally cast up my despairing eyes to mark his progress . `` It was now past noon . Captain H -- still sat by my side , with my hand clasped affectionately in his , doing his utmost to prepare my soul for the great change . I began slowly to recover from the stupor caused by the sudden announcement of my horrid doom . I joined in prayer with him .