about midday
And how gay were we when we set forth the next morning for Alger -- Moll 's eyes twinkling like stars for happiness , and her cheeks all pink with blushes like any new bride , her husband with not less pride than passion in his noble countenance , and Dawson and I as blithe and jolly as schoolboys on a holiday . For now had Moll by this act of heroism and devotion redeemed not only herself , but us also , and there was no further reason for concealment or deceit , but all might be themselves and fear no man . Thus did joy beguile us into a false sense of security . Coming to Alger about midday , we were greatly surprised to find that the sail chartered by Don Sanchez was no longer in the port , and the reason of this we presently learnt was that the Dey , having information of a descent being about to be made upon the town by the British fleet at Tangier , he had commanded , the night before , all alien ships to be gone from the port by daybreak . This put us to a quake , for in view of this descent not one single Algerine would venture to put to sea for all the money Mr. Godwin could offer or promise . So here we were forced to stay in trepidation and doubt as to how we , being English , might fare if the town should be bombarded as we expected , and never did we wish our own countrymen further . Only our Moll and her husband did seem careless in their happiness ; for so they might die in each other 's arms , I do think they would have faced death with a smile upon their faces .