Noon
i. 3 , or failing this XXI . i. 4 . Statues . Noon . '' `` This , '' he said , `` is a solemn covenant , is it not ? '' `` Yes , '' said my father , `` and may all good omens attend it ! '' The words were not out of his mouth before a mountain bird , something like our jackdaw , but smaller and of a bluer black , flew out of the hollow mouth of one of the statues , and with a hearty chuckle perched on the ground at his feet , attracted doubtless by the scraps of food that were lying about .