noon
`` Even the elements conspire against us , '' he said aggrievedly . `` It 's not much of a fog , sir , '' said Jack . `` It may lift at any minute . '' But it did n't lift , and at noon was as dense as before . But the very fact of the fog finally brought the pursuers upon their quarry . A small boat appeared suddenly perhaps a hundred yards ahead , barely visible in the gloom . `` Looks like them , sir , '' declared Jack .