midday
It was certainly the devil riding him -- against his own will . But where was it going to end ? They had had enough of it now ! For now the great harbor bell was striking midday , and there was something derisive in the sound , as though it was jeering at respectable people who only wanted to resume their work . They did n't want to waste the whole day ; neither did they want to risk life and limb against the fool 's tricks of a lunatic . Even the mighty Bergendal had left his contempt of death at home to-day , and was content to grumble like the rest . `` We must knock a hole in the dam , '' he said , `` then the brute may perish in the waves ! ''