noon
It was a tearful parting with his mother and sister before he took the train with his father , and it was a sad one with his father when he went off to the Bellevite in the boat . But neither of them shed any tears , for both felt that they were called upon to discharge their duty to their country . Captain Breaker had always trained his officers and seamen to perform their duty in conformity with the discipline of the navy so far as it was practicable to do so , and consequently his ship 's company were very nearly at home from the beginning of the voyage . He had received his sealed orders , and at noon the Bellevite went down the bay on her mission to the South , though no one on board knew where the ship was bound . The crew had been re-enforced by as many men as she had usually carried , and the first day was a very busy one in putting everything in order . Christy had handed the letter his father had given him to the captain , and after dinner he spoke of it . `` Did you read this letter , Mr. Passford ? ''