Noon
There they were , all huddled together with the engine and the fires . Farmers who had never seen a plough ; woodmen who had never used an axe ; builders who could n't make a box ; cast out of their own land , with not a hand to aid them : newly come into an unknown world , children in helplessness , but men in wants -- with younger children at their backs , to live or die as it might happen ! The morning came , and they would start at noon . Noon came , and they would start at night . But nothing is eternal in this world ; not even the procrastination of an American skipper ; and at night all was ready . Dispirited and weary to the last degree , but a greater lion than ever -LRB- he had done nothing all the afternoon but answer letters from strangers ; half of them about nothing ; half about borrowing money , and all requiring an instantaneous reply -RRB- , Martin walked down to the wharf , through a concourse of people , with Mrs Hominy upon his arm ; and went on board . But Mark was bent on solving the riddle of this lionship , if he could ; and so , not without the risk of being left behind , ran back to the hotel .