noon
Recently a large ape tied to the post at midday was not killed and eaten until four next morning , and that is about the usual thing , although not the rule . Now my proposal is -- '' He stepped back and eyed me with the coldest look of appraisal I ever sickened under . I blenched at last -- visibly suffered under his eye , and he liked it . '' -- that you tell your secret or be fastened to that post from noon , say , until the crocodiles make an end of you ! '' He stepped back a pace farther , perhaps to gloat over my discomfort , perhaps from fear of some concealed weapon . `` You have not much time to arrive at your decision ! '' He took another pace backward .