noon
There comes the dawn at last . '' Up flushed the rose , up rushed the sun , and the level rays glittered on the smooth stems of the palm-trees , and threw rainbows across the foam upon the coral-reefs , and gilded lonely uplands far away , where now stands many a stately country-seat and busy engine-house . Long lines of pelicans went clanging out to sea ; the hum of the insects hushed , and a thousand birds burst into jubilant song ; a thin blue mist crept upward toward the inner downs , and vanished , leaving them to quiver in the burning glare ; the land-breeze , which had blown fresh out to sea all night , died away into glassy calm , and the tropic day was begun . The sick were lifted over the side , and landed boat-load after boat-load on the beach , to stretch themselves in the shade of the palms ; and in half-an-hour the whole crew were scattered on the shore , except some dozen worthy men , who had volunteered to keep watch and ward on board till noon . And now the first instinctive cry of nature was for fruit ! fruit ! fruit !