noon
Hour after hour went by . Cold , hungry , and drenched to the skin , Gipsy tried to be brave , and to bear patiently what she knew must be endured equally by all . The sun rose high , and shone down warmly upon them , but there was still no sign of either land or a ship . It was long past noon when one of the crew , with a jubilant shout , pointed eagerly to a tiny black streak of smoke on the horizon , which they knew must issue from the funnel of some distant steamer . With frantic energy they waved jackets and handkerchiefs , to try to attract the attention of those on board . Would they be seen , or would the ship pursue her course without noticing the small speck far away on the water ? There was a minute of horrible uncertainty , then : `` They 've sighted us ! ''