noon
This done , the priest was invited into the cabin , where , to his great delight , refreshments were served , to which were added sundry strong beverages , which he drank with such avidity and evident relish , that the commander began to have fears for the safety of his understanding . Being a man of great compassion , the commander got the priest away . Thereupon he joined the chief , and together they returned to make preparations for the reception of our hero and his secretary . And when it was well nigh high noon , the general and his secretary disembarked amidst the booming of guns and the huzzas of the crew . And although this afforded him no small amount of pleasure , he expressed great anxiety lest the landing of old Battle be delayed another minute ; `` for , '' said he , `` if it be necessary to make an impression on these savages , then let me have my horse , and you shall see how quick I will do it . '' As these little evidences of his weakness only served the more to divert the officers , they proceeded forthwith to effect the landing . Scarcely had he set foot on shore , however , when he was surrounded by a swarm of tawny beings , naked almost to the buff , and so eager to get a sight at so great an ambassador , that they pressed forward with a clamor that threatened the most serious results to life and limbs , at the same time interposing a serious impediment to the progress of his train .