noon
No , no , the men we seek must have something better than their nobility to recommend them to our favor . But let us examine more closely into this plan and map of Miss Plowden ; something may occur that shall yet bring the place within our circuit , like a contingent duty of the cruise . '' Barnstable reluctantly relinquished his own wild plan to the more sober judgment of his friend , and they passed an hour together , inquiring into the practicability , and consulting on the means , of making their public duty subserve the purpose of their private feelings . The gale continued to blow heavily during the whole of that morning ; but toward noon the usual indications of better weather became apparent . During these few hours of inaction in the frigate , the marines , who were drafted for service on the land , moved through the vessel with a busy and stirring air , as if they were about to participate in the glory and danger of the campaign their officer had planned , while the few seamen who were to accompany the expedition steadily paced the deck , with their hands thrust into the bosoms of their neat blue jackets , or occasionally stretched toward the horizon , as their fingers traced , for their less experienced shipmates , the signs of an abatement in the gale among the driving clouds . The last lagger among the soldiers had appeared , with his knapsack on his back , in the lee gangway , where his comrades were collected , armed and accoutered for the strife , when Captain Munson ascended to the quarter-deck , accompanied by the stranger and his first lieutenant . A word was spoken by the latter in a low voice to a midshipman , who skipped gayly along the deck , and presently the shrill call of the boatswain was beard , preceding the hoarse cry of : `` Away there , you Tigers , away ! ''