noon
And Frank , I 'm carrying the little shooting-iron Colonel Josiah gave me as a parting present . '' `` Ditto myself , '' replied the other , in a low tone , as one of the crew happened to draw near , while getting ready to make a landing at the wharf . `` He told us that down in this country it paid to be ready for trouble ; though I keep hoping we 're not going to have anything of the sort . '' It was toward noon when they steamed up to the town that nestled near the mouth of the great Magdalena River . Of course it was hot , for the season of the year made that a foregone conclusion ; but both boys were dressed in suitable attire , and also wore pith helmets calculated to allow a current of air fan the head . Andy was shivering in a mixture between hope and fear . In this city they would meet the writer of that pleasant letter , Señor José Almirez .