about noon
The sea elephant is his big brother in size and ferocity . '' `` I shall give them a wide berth , '' said the professor . `` That killer whale was enough for me . '' `` You will be wise , too , '' was the rejoinder , and the captain turned to busy himself with his books and papers , for this conversation occurred about noon in his hut . The next day there were good-byes to be said . The polar winter was near at hand , when the sea for miles beyond the barrier would freeze solid and it would have been foolhardy for the Brutus , which had discharged all her coal but that necessary to steam north with , to have remained longer . She sailed early in the morning , bearing with her letters to their friends in the north , which the boys could not help thinking might be the last they would ever write them .