noon
The afternoon was deepening fast , with heavy gray clouds lowering , showing no definite edge , but streaked with hazy lines , and spotted by some little murky blurs or blots , like tar pots , carried slowly . `` Hath Noah 's Ark ever told a lie ? '' the ancient pilot shouted , pointing with one hand at these , and with a clinched fist at the sea , whence came puffs of sullen air , and turned his gray locks backward . `` Mackerel sky when the sun got up , mermaiden 's eggs at noon , and now afore sunset Noah 's Arks ! Any of them breweth a gale of wind , and the three of them bodes a tempest . And the top of the springs of the year to-morrow . Are ye daft , or all gone upon the spree , my men ?