noon
At that moment the canoe passed round a tope of half-submerged palm-trees , and the hacienda itself appeared in sight , as if suddenly rising from the bosom of the waters . A cry of joy escaped from the lips of the student , who , half-famished with hunger , thought of the abundance that would be found behind those hospitable walls . While gazing upon them a bell commenced to toll ; and its tones fell upon his ears like the music of birds , for it appeared as if summoning the occupants of the hacienda to pass into the refectory . It was , however , the _ angelus _ of noon . At the same instant two barges were seen parting from the causeway that led down in front , and heading towards the high ridge that ran behind the hacienda , at a little distance on the north . In the first of these boats appeared two rowers , with a person in a travelling costume of somewhat clerical cut , and a mule saddled and bridled . In the second were two gentlemen and the same number of ladies .