noon
`` Well , let us make the best of it , '' said Sam , and began to eat , and the others did the same . Since time seemed no object they ate slowly , in the meantime reviewing the situation from every possible standpoint , but without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion . They had allowed their watches to run down , so there was no telling what time it was . But at last a faint streak of sunshine , coming through a seam in the deck , told that it must be near noon . Yet no one came near them , and all was as silent , close at hand , as a tomb , although in the distance they heard an occasional steam whistle or other sound common to a great city . There was nothing in the hold by which to reach the hatchway , but , growing weary of waiting , Tom dragged a box hither and asked Dick and Sam to stand upon it . Then he climbed on their shoulders , to find his head directly against the beams of the deck .