noon
We were not altogether alone , however , for the ubiquitous flying-fish were springing up every now and then from the azure deep , taking short flights from one wave crest to another , or else entangling themselves in the rigging of the ship , and then falling a gasping prey on the deck for Cuffee bye and bye to operate upon in his galley , whence they would emerge again fried into a savoury dish for the cabin table at dinner - time . Bonitoes and albacore also played round our bows , and the many-hued dolphin could be seen disporting himself astern in our wake ; while , at one time , a large grampus swam for some considerable period abreast of the vessel , as if showing how easily he could keep pace with us and outstrip us too when he pleased , for , later on in the afternoon , he darted away and was soon lost to sight . I had now got over all the effects of sea-sickness , a hearty breakfast having restored my equilibrium , thus enabling me to enjoy all that was going on around . The captain especially claimed my attention when he `` took the sun '' at noon , an operation which I watched with the most absorbed interest ; and I found out afterwards the use of the sextant , and the way in which the difference between the ship 's mean time and that of the chronometer below in the cabin -- which showed what the hour was at Greenwich -- enabled Captain Miles to tell almost to a mile on the chart what was our position with regard to our longitude , our latitude being `` worked out '' in a different fashion . Then , there was the heaving of the log at stated intervals to ascertain the speed of the ship through the water , and the constant trimming of the sails ; for more canvas was piled on as the breeze fell light during the afternoon , as we wanted everything spread that could draw in order to catch the slightest breath of wind there was . Oh , yes , there was plenty to see for a novice like me ! The _ Josephine _ was fresh out of port , and there were lots of things that had to be done to make her ship-shape for the long voyage before her ; and , besides , had there been nothing else for the hands to do beyond taking their trick at the wheel and attending to the braces -- the ordinary routine of their duty with a fair wind such as we had -- the captain and first mate would have felt bound to find them something to keep their minds from mischief .