about noon
`` Of course , '' I continued , `` I am rather taken up with the whole story ; and I wish you would tell me what you can of how the men were saved . '' `` It was like this , '' said he . `` We had orders to call at Midway after castaways , and had our distance pretty nigh run down the day before . We steamed half-speed all night , looking to make it about noon , for old Tootles -- beg your pardon , sir , the captain -- was precious scared of the place at night . Well , there 's nasty filthy currents round that Midway ; _ you _ know , as has been there ; and one on 'em must have set us down . Leastways , about six bells , when we had ought to been miles away , some one sees a sail , and lo and be'old , there was the spars of a full-rigged brig ! We raised her pretty fast , and the island after her ; and made out she was hard aground , canted on her bilge , and had her ens 'n flying , union down .