twelve o'clock noon
He communicates it : '' _ Parting compliments to the senoritas _ ! '' `` Up anchor ! '' The order rings along the deck of the _ Crusader _ , and the men of the watch stand by the windlass to execute it . That same morning , Crozier and Cadwallader , turning out of their cots , heard with surprise the order for sending up the `` Blue-Peter , '' as also that the ship was to weigh anchor by twelve o'clock noon . Of course , they were expecting it , but not so soon . However , the arrival of the corvette explains all ; an officer from the latter vessel having already come on board the _ Crusader _ with despatches from the flag-ship of the Pacific Squadron . These contain orders for the frigate to set sail for the Sandwich Islands without delay ; the corvette to replace her on the San Francisco station .