midday
A gust of wind came at that moment and carried most of the sound away , but we gathered that our hoped-for prize had papers from our consul allowing her free passage . There was a universal groan of disappointment , and when the order was given to `` secure , '' the hose was pulled up with unnecessary violence , hatches were lowered , and gun closets closed with no gentle hands . Such keen disappointment must somehow find a vent . There was great excitement the following afternoon when the word was passed for all hands to get out their leggings and to wear shoes to midday quarters . And when we were arranged into companies , and had haversacks , canteens , and knapsacks doled out to us , we concluded that a landing party would be made up for Porto Rico . `` The ` old man ' is going to show the ` Spinache ' that the ` Yankee ' boys can fight on land as well as on sea , '' said Tommy , as he yanked at an obstinate haversack strap . We marched round and round the spar deck to the music of bugle and drum till we got well into the swing of it , and felt very martial and formidable indeed .