noon
It struck seven bells , and he accompanied Mr Jolliffe on deck . Showing how Jack transgresses against his own philosophy . When Jack Easy had gained the deck , he found the sun shining gaily , a soft air blowing from the shore , and the whole of the rigging and every part of the ship loaded with the shirts , trousers , and jackets of the seamen , which had been wetted during the heavy gale , and were now hanging up to dry ; all the wet sails were also spread on the booms or triced up in the rigging , and the ship was slowly forging through the blue water . The captain and first lieutenant were standing on the gangway in converse , and the majority of the officers were with their quadrants and sextants ascertaining the latitude at noon . The decks were white and clean , the sweepers had just laid by their brooms , and the men were busy coiling down the ropes . It was a scene of cheerfulness , activity , and order , which tightened his heart after the four days of suffering , close air , and confinement , from which he had just emerged . The captain , who perceived him , beckoned to him , asked him kindly how he felt : the first lieutenant also smiled upon him , and many of the officers , as well as his messmates , congratulated him upon his recovery .