midday
The duke he fretted and sweated around , and was in a mighty sour way . He scolded us for everything , and we could n't seem to do nothing right ; he found fault with every little thing . Something was a-brewing , sure . I was good and glad when midday come and no king ; we could have a change , anyway -- and maybe a chance for _ the _ chance on top of it . So me and the duke went up to the village , and hunted around there for the king , and by and by we found him in the back room of a little low doggery , very tight , and a lot of loafers bullyragging him for sport , and he a-cussing and a-threatening with all his might , and so tight he could n't walk , and could n't do nothing to them . The duke he begun to abuse him for an old fool , and the king begun to sass back , and the minute they was fairly at it I lit out and shook the reefs out of my hind legs , and spun down the river road like a deer , for I see our chance ; and I made up my mind that it would be a long day before they ever see me and Jim again . I got down there all out of breath but loaded up with joy , and sung out : `` Set her loose , Jim ; we 're all right now ! ''