noon
I learned a lesson , I drew a moral , and I received a warning from the fate it told , from which I trust my readers will profit likewise . Whenever the duties of the ship would allow me to go on shore , I repaired to the ruins of Truxillo , for I was never weary of wandering among its deserted streets and exploring its shattered edifices . Meantime the repairs of the ship went on as expeditiously as possible , and by the 16th of November we had set up our rigging , got all the wood and water we could stowaway on board , and made every other requisite preparation for encountering a winter passage to England . I had arranged to sail the next day , when at noon it was reported to me that a brig was seen standing into the bay . `` Make the signal for the people to hurry on board , '' was my reply as I went on deck . Having examined the stranger through the glass , I thought she looked suspicious , so I hoisted the private signal and waited with some little anxiety to ascertain if it was answered . The fact that we had got possession of the Saint Domingo , with all her wealth on board , would be known to the Spaniards , and if they should discover that she was separated from the rest of the fleet , they would very naturally send in quest of her .