noon
We can therefore imagine that the young captain waited impatiently for the first trace of smoke upon the horizon . All turned out as he desired . The water remained calm and peaceful . Toward noon the boat arrived . Erik , with his staff , received the mariners with due honors . `` But explain to me , '' said the captain of the tow-boat , `` how you came to cast your vessel on these rocks after leaving Brest ? '' `` This chart will explain it , '' said Erik .