noon
I found on examination that they were both dead , and also that their furs were very beautiful , and I resolved that I would have their skins . But here was a difficulty . If I took off the skins , I could not carry them with me , and I was anxious to get the young one home , lest it should die of hunger ; so I decided that I would first take home the young one , give it food and warm it , and then return and skin the old ones . I therefore made my breakfast , and leaving the remainder of my provision in a cleft in the rock , that I might not have the trouble of bringing it again , I set off on my return , and used such diligence that I was back at the cabin by noon . I found my birds all well , and apparently quite satisfied with the provision that I had left them , for they were most of them asleep , and those that were awake did not notice my arrival . `` Ah , '' thought I , `` you only like me for what I give you ; next time I go away I will leave you hungry , and then , when you see me come back , you will all flutter your wings with gladness . '' I was puzzled where to put my seal so as to keep him safe : at last I decided upon opening the seaman 's chest and putting him in that .