about noon
`` Done a lot , sir , '' he answered -- `` that and what you said . '' He made a curious sound as if he were half choking then , and turned sharply to run forward to the cook 's galley . By the time breakfast was over , land could be seen from the deck to starboard , port , and right forward -- misty-looking land , like clouds settled here and there upon the surface of the sea . This grew clearer and clearer , till about noon it was plain to see that some of the patches were islands , while farther to the west the mainland spread right and left with dim bluish-looking mountains in the distance . It was early in the afternoon that the captain suddenly gave his orders , the engine was stopped , and the boat towing far astern began to grind up against the side , as it rose and fell on the heaving sea . `` Still of the same mind , doctor ? '' said the captain .