noon
Then he inserted it into the empty bottle to which reference has been made , and corking it up tight committed it to the waves with an earnest prayer for its safe arrival at its destination . He then resumed his oars with a feeling of great relief , as if a heavy weight had been taken off his mind , and watched the precious bottle until it was out of sight astern . By this time the face of nature had changed somewhat . With the advancing day the wind arose , and before noon it was blowing a stiff breeze . The rolling of the boat awoke Billy , who looked up anxiously . `` Ay , it 'll be all over sooner than I thought on , '' murmured Gaff , as he glanced to windward . `` What 'll be all over , daddy ? ''