noon
_ -RSB- So on the eighth day , at five minutes before noon , Nigel got ready . And when the whirlpools suddenly stopped whirling and the tide sank , like water in a basin that has a hole in it , he stuck to his oars and put his back into his stroke , and presently beached the boat on the yellow sand . Then he dragged it into a cave , and sat down to wait . By five minutes and one second past noon , the whirlpools were black and busy again , and Nigel peeped out of his cave . And on the rocky ledge overhanging the sea he saw a Princess as beautiful as the day , with golden hair and a green gown -- and he went out to meet her . `` I 've come to save you , '' he said . `` How darling and beautiful you are ! ''