noon
`` So much the better for us , Mr. Passford . We do n't fight for prize-money , but when a man gets to be as old as I am , a good round sum of money do n't come amiss to him . But I am sorry to see that it looks like a change of weather , '' continued the sheet-anchor man , as he hitched up his trousers , and took a survey of the heavens . The wind began to come from the west after it had been almost a dead calm since noon . It looked as though a heavy shower was coming up , and clouds of mist and fog swept over the ocean . The usual lookouts had been doubled , but , in spite of all precautions , the Bellevite lost sight of the chase when she could not have been more than a mile from her . But this weather was to be expected in this changeable latitude .