noon
And therewith she whirled the sax over her head and cast it at Birdalone . But now had the boat turned its head toward the ness of Green Eyot and was swiftly departing , so that Birdalone but half heard the last words of the witch-wife , and the sax fell flashing into the water far astern . There the witch stood tossing her arms and screaming , wordless ; but no more of her saw Birdalone , for the boat came round about the ness of Green Eyot , and there lay the Great Water under the summer heavens all wide and landless before her . And it was now noon of day . * * * * * Here ends the First Part of the Water of the Wondrous Isles , which is called Of the House of Captivity . And now begins the Second Part , which is called Of the Wondrous Isles . SO glided Birdalone over the lake and was come forth from the House of Captivity ; it might well be that she was but swimming unto death ; naked as she was , fireless , foodless , and helpless , at the mercy of mere sorcery .