about noon
Cap wore several times ; and it was now evident that the _ Scud _ was drifting into the broader and deeper parts of the lake , the seas raging down upon her in a way that none but a vessel of superior mould and build could have long ridden and withstood . All this , however , gave Cap no uneasiness ; but , like the hunter that pricks his ears at the sound of the horn , or the war-horse that paws and snorts with pleasure at the roll of the drum , the whole scene awakened all that was man within him ; and instead of the captious , supercilious , and dogmatic critic , quarrelling with trifles and exaggerating immaterial things , he began to exhibit the qualities of the hardy and experienced seaman which he truly was . The hands soon imbibed a respect for his skill ; and , though they wondered at the disappearance of their old commander and the pilot , for which no reason had been publicly given , they soon yielded an implicit and cheerful obedience to the new one . `` This bit of fresh water , after all , brother Dunham , has some spirit , I find , '' cried Cap about noon , rubbing his hands in pure satisfaction at finding himself once more wrestling with the elements . `` The wind seems to be an honest old-fashioned gale , and the seas have a fanciful resemblance to those of the Gulf Stream . I like this , Sergeant , I like this , and shall get to respect your lake , if it hold out twenty-four hours longer in the fashion in which it has begun . '' `` Land , ho ! ''