noon
The rating and the cabin fare seemed offered as an apology , and he was willing to accept it . Carlsen acted as first mate , and Rainey had to acknowledge him efficient . He fancied the man must have been a ship 's surgeon , and so picked up his seamanship . After a few days Carlsen , save for taking noon observations with the skipper and working out the reckoning , left his duties largely to Rainey , who was glad enough for the experience . A sailor named Hansen was promoted to acting-quartermaster , and relieved Rainey . Carlsen spent most of his time attendant on the girl or chatting with the hunters , with whom he soon appeared on terms of intimacy . The hunters esteemed themselves above the sailors , as they were , in intelligence and earning capacity .