noon
Their apprehensions were confirmed in a space of time that seemed impossible to have enabled Captain Williams to reach his ship , by seeing the Albatross , under jib and spanker , slowly standing to the westward , and again anchoring full half a mile farther out to sea than before ; not , to be sure , out of reach of the guns of the battery , but at such a distance as to render it extremely problematical whether _ Spanish _ artillerymen would be able to throw a shot within half a mile of her , especially in a star-light night . This movement of the ship alarmed the governor not a little ; for he knew that the guarda-costa was absent on a cruize , and it was doubtful when she would return , and that there were but thirty soldiers on duty at the barracks , the rest having recently been drafted into the interior , to wage war against certain straggling , light-fingered gentry , known in that part of the world by the general title of `` monteneros , '' or highlanders , being analogous in their habits and manners , and confused ideas of _ meum _ and _ tuum _ , to the highland cattle-stealers of Scotland . In this dilemma , the governor 's heart began to relent -- he thought that he was carrying his severity too far . On retiring to his house to dinner , he was met by a message from his niece , requesting to see him in her chamber , being too unwell to meet the family at noon . Thither his Excellency ascended with reluctant steps and slow , like a child called from his play to be whipped and sent to bed . He found his niece reclining upon a sofa , pale , languid , and evidently much agitated . She rose to receive him with her accustomed affection , and the old Don seated himself by her side .