minutes before noon
Captain Nemo did not appear again either in the drawing-room or on the platform . The point shown each day on the planisphere , and , marked by the lieutenant , showed me the exact direction of the Nautilus . Now , on that evening , it was evident , to , my great satisfaction , that we were going back to the North by the Atlantic . The next day , April 1st , when the Nautilus ascended to the surface some minutes before noon , we sighted land to the west . It was Terra del Fuego , which the first navigators named thus from seeing the quantity of smoke that rose from the natives ' huts . The coast seemed low to me , but in the distance rose high mountains . I even thought I had a glimpse of Mount Sarmiento , that rises 2,070 yards above the level of the sea , with a very pointed summit , which , according as it is misty or clear , is a sign of fine or of wet weather .