noon
`` I fear this island is too far out of the regular course of ships to hope that we will be picked up soon . We must make some kind of a distress signal and hoist it where it will be seen . We 'll do that as soon as we have completed the circuit of the island . '' It was long past noon , to judge by the position of the sun , when they had circled the island and again reached the place where Bob had built the fire . They had seen no signs of natives , nor any of animals , though there might be small beasts . `` Well , we know what to expect now , '' said the Captain , as they sat down under the trees to talk matters over . `` We 'll have to depend for a living on fish , turtles , and fruit .