noon
`` There , '' snapped her ladyship , `` I knew we should run into a storm , yet Captain Ross led us to believe -- John , take me to my cabin at once . '' From the promenade deck the listless groups watched the rapid advance of the gale . There was mournful speculation upon the _ Sirdar 's _ chances of reaching Singapore before the next evening . `` We had two hundred and ninety-eight miles to do at noon , '' said Experience . `` If the wind and sea catch us on the port bow the ship will pitch awfully . Half the time the screw will be racing . I once made this trip in the _ Sumatra _ , and we were struck by a south-east typhoon in this locality .