noon
But for the poor suffering Señora they would make exertions which no money would have bought from them . On the next day about noon the post did pass them , consisting of three strong men carrying great weights on their backs , suspended by bands from their foreheads . They travelled much quicker than our friends , and would reach the banks of the river that evening . In their ordinary course they would start down the river close upon daybreak on the following day ; but , after some consultation with the guides , they agreed to wait till noon . Poor Mrs. Arkwright knew nothing of hours or of any such arrangements now , but her husband greatly doubted their power of catching this mail despatch . However , it did not much depend on their exertions that afternoon . Their resting-place was marked out for them , and they could not go beyond it , unless indeed they could make the whole journey , which was impossible .