noon
The prisoners were obliged to stand at this when eating their meals . The whole cheerless scene was coldly illuminated by a single light-emanating disk just under the guard 's platform . Steps echoed hollowly metallic from above . Quirl wondered if it was already time for the galley boy to bring the immense bowl of hot stew for the noon meal . * * * * * It was not . It was Moby Gore , the huge and overbearing first mate of the pirates on his daily mission of inspection and prisoner baiting . Quirl crept further into his corner .