noon
It was the season of midsummer , and of course at meridian hour the sun was right over their heads . Even their bodies cast no shadow , except upon the white sand directly underneath them , at the bottom of the sea . The sun could no longer guide them ; and as they had no other index , they were compelled to remain stationary , or drift in whatever direction the breeze or the currents might carry them . There was not much movement any way , and for several hours before and after noon they lay almost becalmed upon the ocean . This period was passed in silence and inaction . There was nothing for them to talk about but their forlorn situation , and this topic had been exhausted . There was nothing for them to do .