noon
If they were unable to beach the ship soon it was but only too apparent that she would sink from under them in deep water , when -- God help those on board ! Suddenly , however , when hope abandoned them both , there was a break in the dark sky just overhead and a bit of blue was to be seen , followed presently by a gleam of sunshine which sent a ray of comfort into their hearts and bid them not utterly despair . This caused one , at least , to pluck up his courage again . `` It is close on noon now , '' said Mr Meldrum , speaking cheerfully , `` we had better take an observation , so as to see where we precisely are . '' `` And what good will that do us ? '' asked the Captain disconsolately ; `` no amount of observations are of any use to us now . '' But he fetched out his sextant all the same , as well for the mere sake of doing `` something '' as to oblige Mr Meldrum ; and taking advantage of a favourable opportunity , he `` took '' the sun .