noon
`` A Russian , eh , '' he said . `` Well , they can be damned nice , or damned -- otherwise . Considering what you did for me , I hope I can look him over before the Dolphin shows up . '' Next morning we raised Ponape , without further incident , and before noon the Suwarna and the Brunhilda had dropped anchor in the harbour . Upon the excitement and manifest dread of the natives , when we sought among them for carriers and workmen to accompany us , I will not dwell . It is enough to say that no payment we offered could induce a single one of them to go to the Nan-Matal . Nor would they say why .