noon
Captain Eri obligingly produced a black plug of smoking tobacco , and Mr. Batcheldor bit off two-thirds and returned the balance . After adjusting the morsel so that it might interfere in the least degree with his vocal machinery , he drawled : `` I cal ` late you ai n't heard the news , Eri . Web Saunders has got his original-package license . It come on the noon mail . '' The Captain turned sharply toward the speaker . `` Is that a fact ? '' he asked .