noon
The order had been given to take in the mainsail , and the little vessel was almost under bare poles , when the storm burst upon it , and threw it nearly on its beam-ends . Righting from the first shock , it sprang away like a living creature trying to escape from some deadly foe . Ere long the waves were up and the storm was raging in all its fury . `` If it holds like this till to-morrow , we 'll be in port by noon , '' said Haco Barepoles to Gaff as they stood near the wheel , holding on to the backstays , and turning their backs to the seas that swept heavily over the side from time to time . `` You speak as if you wor _ sure _ o ' gettin ' in , '' said Gaff . `` Well , we a n't sure o ' nothin ' in this world , '' replied the skipper ; `` if Providence has willed it otherwise , we ca n't help it , you know . We must submit whether we will or no . ''