noon
Then the captain said , `` Now each of you take a pound or two of this tobacco , and then break the bales and shovel the rest overboard . '' The precious packages were burst , and the sight of the beautiful leaf , the richness of the tender aroma , affected the sailors with remorse . It was like offering up a sacrifice . But the captain 's orders were definite ; so until near noon the shovels were plied smartly , and one hundredweight after another of admirable tobacco drifted away on the careless sea . Hindhaugh watched grimly until at last his emotions overcame him . He growled , `` Confound it , I ca n't do it ! Belay there , men ; I 'll have another think over this job . ''