noon
`` Well , Thudicumb , I hope by noon we may at last get a glimpse of the sun , '' said Captain Davenport to his first officer , as they walked the deck of the _ Bussorah Merchant _ , homeward bound from the East Indies , and at that time rolling on over the long heaving seas of the Atlantic . The sky was overcast , but ever and anon a gleam of light burst forth amid the clouds , playing on the foaming crest of a wave . It was blowing hard , but had evidently been blowing much harder , of which fact the condition of the Indiaman gave evidence . A portion of the starboard bulwarks were stove in , one of her quarter boats was shattered , and other slight damages were visible .