noon
`` Certainly , '' replied Lieutenant Hobson , `` there can be no hesitation which to choose , the sun or our compass , nothing disturbs the sun . '' The march was resumed , the sun was still behind them , and there was really no objection to be made to Hobson 's theory , founded , as it was , upon the position then occupied by the radiant orb of day . The little troop marched on , but they did not get out of the valley as soon as they expected . Hobson had counted on leaving the ice-wall before noon , and it was past two when they reached the opening of the narrow pass . Strange as was this delay , it had not made any one uneasy , and the astonishment of all can readily be imagined when , on stepping on to the ice field , at the base of the chain of icebergs , no sign was to be seen of Victoria Island , which ought to have been opposite to them . Yes ! -- The island , which on this side had been such a conspicuous object , owing to the height of Cape Michael crowned with trees , had disappeared .