Twelve o'clock
Captain Nemo , by the help of his sextant , took the altitude of the sun , which ought also to give the latitude . He waited for some moments till its disc touched the horizon . Whilst taking observations not a muscle moved , the instrument could not have been more motionless in a hand of marble . `` Twelve o'clock , sir , '' said he . `` When you like -- '' I cast a last look upon the sea , slightly yellowed by the Japanese coast , and descended to the saloon . `` And now , sir , I leave you to your studies , '' added the Captain ; `` our course is E.N.E. , our depth is twenty-six fathoms . Here are maps on a large scale by which you may follow it .