noon
It was the season of midsummer ; and of course at meridian hour the sun was right over their heads . Even their bodies cast no shadow , except upon the white sand directly underneath them , at the bottom of the sea . The sun could no longer guide them ; and , as they had no other index , they were compelled to remain stationary , or drift in whatever direction the breeze or the currents might carry them . There was not much movement any way ; and for several hours before and after noon they lay almost becalmed upon the ocean . This period was passed in silence and inaction . There was nothing for them to talk about but their forlorn situation ; and this topic had been exhausted . There was nothing for them to do .