noon
` As to that , ' said Kearny , abandoning his light mood at once , ` I have already done what I could . I have had some experience in hoisting stone in quarries . Torres and I have already spliced three hawsers and stretched them from the steamer 's stern to a tree on shore . We will rig a tackle and have the gun on terra firma before noon to-morrow . ' `` One could not remain long at outs with Bad-Luck Kearny . '' ` Once more , ' said I to him , ` we will waive this question of luck . Have you ever had experience in drilling raw troops ? ' ''