midday
Serko and Captain Spade at once approach and engage in conversation with him . All three raise their telescopes and sweep the horizon from southeast to northeast . No one will be surprised to learn that I gaze intently in the same direction ; but having no telescope I can not distinguish anything . The midday meal over we all return on deck -- all with the exception of Thomas Roch , who has not quitted his cabin . Towards one o'clock land is sighted by the lookout man on the foretop cross-tree . Inasmuch as the _ Ebba _ is bowling along at great speed I shall soon be able to make out the coast line . In effect , two hours later a vague semicircular line that curves outward is discernible about eight miles off .