noon
`` Broad on the lee bow , sir , or as nearly as possible dead to leeward , '' answered I. `` Then , if we keep away a couple of points we shall just about hit them off , '' remarked the skipper . He gave the necessary instructions to the helmsman , and then , turning again to me , continued : `` We may as well get this business over as soon as possible , George ; so get the stunsails , big gaff-topsail , and main-topmast-staysail on her at once , my lad , and give the little hooker a chance to go through the water . '' These additions to our canvas were soon made , and then the watch returned to the work upon which they had been previously engaged , as we did not expect to overtake the object of our pursuit for several hours . It was just noon , and we were still engaged upon our observations of the sun for the determination of the latitude , when the captain made out , through the telescope of his sextant , the mast-heads of the brigantine just peeping above the line of the southern horizon ; and while we were in the cabin getting our dinner , Comben , who had charge of the deck , reported , through the open skylight , that the brigantine had apparently just sighted us , for she had hauled her wind and was making sail . `` All right , '' remarked the skipper ; `` so much the better . That just suits me , for we shall get to fisticuffs all the sooner , and get the whole business comfortably over by dark . Let her go along as she is , Mr Comben . ''