about noon Israel
Long as they were in sight , the bulky form of the captive was seen at times swayingly towering over the flashing bayonets and cutlasses , like a great whale breaching amid a hostile retinue of sword-fish . Now and then , too , with barbaric scorn , he taunted them with cramped gestures of his manacled hands . When at last the vessel had gained her anchorage , opposite a distant detached warehouse , all was still ; and the work of breaking out in the hold immediately commencing , and continuing till nightfall , absorbed all further attention for the present . Next day was Sunday ; and about noon Israel , with others , was allowed to go ashore for a stroll . The town was quiet . Seeing nothing very interesting there , he passed out , alone , into the fields alongshore , and presently found himself climbing the cliff whereon stood the grim pile before spoken of . `` What place is yon ? ''