noon
`` Tell him that as he has compelled us to come on board , we desire to know what he requires us to do , '' said Stephen . On this Captain Hamet beckoned them to come into the cabin . He then placed several nautical instruments before them , with charts of the Mediterranean , the western shores of Africa and Europe , extending as far as England . `` He wants you to make good use of these to mark down every day the course the ship has run , -- her position at noon . He does not require you to fight ; indeed , if we meet an enemy , he will allow you to go below and keep out of harm 's way if you wish it . '' `` Under those circumstances I do not think we should wisely refuse to obey him , '' observed Stephen . `` I would rather not have to do it , '' said Roger .