noon
As the night turned to morning , Jerry Rolfe experienced a change of feeling , and when silent-footed natives brought in food for breakfast , he had arrived at a state of confidence that permitted him to sleep for two hours after eating , no longer hampered by doubts . As for Blunt , that very self-possessed seaman had accepted the situation immediately he had satisfied himself about those cartridges . He had slept well , eaten well , and now while the mate slept , he assumed with relish the job of issuing rifles and ammunition to his crew . A little uneasy as the forenoon wore on without a word from outside , noon found Rolfe and Blunt seeking the guardian of the gate for information . The gargoyle-faced native was absent , and the gate was barred ; but while they lingered around the stockade the watchman came in , bringing two of the _ Barang 's _ men who had gone with Barry . These were the men who had run down river in chase of the flying gold washer , and their tattered clothes and bewildered faces gave the mate a jolt . `` We follow dat man , sar , an ' he come close to dis place , '' one of them chattered in reply to Rolfe 's brusque demand .