midday
Ah , by Jove ! look there ! I believe the fellow actually means to stick to his bargain at last : here come the men with the sails and so on that I have asked for ; and to-night I hope you will be able to rest in comparative coolness out here on deck , with an awning , and all other proper shelter from the dew . '' The boat , with half a dozen hands in her , was soon alongside , and by midday we had not only an awning spread over the whole of the after-deck , from the taffrail to the mainmast , but also a spacious canvas sleeping-tent under it , divided into two compartments , and so arranged that my companion might enjoy the most absolute privacy . The steward also came off , and resumed possession of his usual quarters , and as he was one of the quietest and most respectable men of the party , was as good a cook as `` the doctor '' himself , and seemed genuinely anxious to do his best for us , it soon appeared as though we were about to be favoured with a spell of peace and quietness . Meanwhile , O'Gorman religiously refrained from obtruding himself upon us until I had dismissed the boat 's crew upon the completion of their labours , when he came aboard , ostensibly to ascertain whether everything had been done to my satisfaction , but actually -- as I soon discovered -- to claim the assistance that I had undertaken to afford him . And this , of course , I was more than ready to give , now that I had obtained from him what I wanted , being feverishly anxious to bring the entire adventure to a conclusion as speedily as possible , in order that I might be free to convey Miss Onslow in all safety and honour to her father 's arms .