midday
No sooner was the bark on her way than the privateersmen set to work to lift out their injured mainmast , and to replace it with that they had brought on board from the bark . When daylight broke anxious glances were cast round the horizon ; but although a few distant sails were seen , none of these were following a course that would bring them near the brig , and the latter without sail and with her foremast alone standing would not be likely to be noticed . Ralph could not help admiring the energy with which the crew worked . Ordinarily they were by no means a smart crew , and did their work in a slow and slovenly manner ; but each man now felt the importance of getting everything into order before an enemy appeared , and so well did they work that by midday the new mast was in its place , and before sunset the topmast with all its yards and gear was up and the sails ready for hoisting . Ralph had been in a state of anxiety in the early part of the night lest he should be sent on board the bark and carried as a prisoner to France . But no one seemed to give a thought to him , and it was not until far on in the morning that the captain happened to notice him hard at work with the rest . `` Ah , are you there ? ''