About noon
Jack commended Tom 's discretion . `` It would be better indeed that he should hear the whole matter from his uncle , who will probably be sent out to China , where we shall meet him before long , '' observed Jack . The ship had run on for a couple of days , the weather continuing calm and fine , though a favourable breeze would have been acceptable to save coal . About noon land was sighted on the starboard bow . The master stated that it was the Island of Dolores , very appropriately so called , as it consists of a small patch of land rising up amid a collection of coral reefs , which would prove the destruction of any unfortunate vessel driven on them . The _ Bellona _ had passed along the southern edge of the group , and the glasses of several of her officers had been turned towards the land to ascertain its appearance , when , just as they were leaving it on the starboard quarter , the look-out from aloft hailed the deck to say there was what appeared to him to be a wreck on an outer reef off the western side . The master and second lieutenant , on going aloft , were convinced that such was the case , and the ship was accordingly headed in that direction at half speed , a bright look-out being kept for any dangers which might lie off at a distance from the reef below the water .