twelve o'clock
ejaculated the captain ; `` nonsense , man ; why we are hundreds of miles to the westward of it . '' `` Are we ? '' replied Mr Meldrum . `` Well , just wait till twelve o'clock and we 'll see who is right , you or I ! '' Hardly , however , had the words escaped his lips than the look-out man in the maintop -- who had been replaced as soon as day broke , when the prospect around the ship became more extended , thus rendering his services useful -- shouted out a cry that had almost been forgotten , and which made every heart on board leap with mingled feelings of overpowering joy , consternation , surprise , dismay ! Every pulse stopped for a second spellbound ! The cry was -- `` Land ho ! ''