Noon
Hours passed , but there was no call from the hut , and the officer , with ever-increasing anxiety , bade his men to kick up a row -- or words to that effect . No command they ever received was more easy of fulfilment . They laughed and talked ; they cut down trees and cleaned their breakfast utensils with overwhelming demonstration ; they shouted , they even sang and roared in chorus , but without effect . Noon arrived and passed , still Cormac slept on . It was worse than perplexing -- it was becoming desperate ! The officer commanding the party was a brave man ; so was the sub . Their native courage overcame their superstitious fears .