about noon
I trust , my friends , '' he added , looking earnestly into our faces -- `` I trust that if you ever return to England , you will tell your Christian friends that the horrors which they hear of in regard to these islands are _ literally true , _ and that when they have heard the worst , the _ ` half has not been told them ; ' _ for there are perpetrated here foul deeds of darkness of which man may not speak . You may also tell them , '' he said , looking around with a smile , while a tear of gratitude trembled in his eye and rolled down his coal-black cheek -- `` tell them of the blessings that the Gospel has wrought _ here _ ! '' We assured our friend that we would certainly not forget his request . On returning towards the village , about noon , we remarked on the beautiful whiteness of the cottages . `` That is owing to the lime with which they are plastered , '' said the teacher . `` When the natives were converted , as I have described , I set them to work to build cottages for themselves , and also this handsome church which you see . When the framework and other parts of the house were up , I sent the people to fetch coral from the sea .