noon
I smiled . `` I hope not ! '' With that we shook hands and parted , and within the next twenty minutes the steamer had started , bearing me far away from the Isle of Skye , that beautiful , weird and mystic region full of strange legends and memories , which to me had proved a veritable wonderland . I watched the ` Diana ' at anchor in the bay of Portree till I could see her no more , -- and it was getting on towards noon when I suddenly noticed the people on board the steamer making a rush to one side of the deck to look at something that was evidently both startling and attractive . I followed the crowd , -- and my heart gave a quick throb of delight when I saw poised on the sparkling waters the fairylike ` Dream ' ! -- her sails white as the wings of a swan , and her cordage gleaming like woven gold in the brilliant sunshine . She was a thing of perfect beauty as she seemed to glide on the very edge of the horizon like a vision between sky and sea .