noon
The wind freshened somewhat , but continued in the same quarter . Grumbling ceased over the bad luck they were having , and hopeful anticipations that , after all , they would make a quick passage were freely indulged in . On the fourth day after changing her course , she was off the coast of Spain , which was but a hundred and fifty miles distant . At noon that day the wind dropped suddenly , and , an hour later , it was a dead calm . `` We are going to have a change , Dick , '' the doctor said , as he stopped by the lad , who was leaning against the bulwark watching a flock of seabirds that were following a shoal of fish , dashing down among them with loud cries , and too intent upon their work to notice the ship , lying motionless a hundred yards away . `` What sort of a change , doctor ? '' `` Most likely a strong blow , though from what quarter it is too soon to say .