about
two hours after noon
The captain and the rest were Englishmen , two of whom had seen better days . One had been a schoolmaster and the other a lawyer 's clerk . There was also a runaway from home of gentle birth , but who had so long mixed with rough characters , that not a trace of the good manners he once possessed remained by him . We had got into the latitude of the Cape de Verde islands , and were looking out for the African coast , the wind being about east , when about two hours after noon the look-out at the masthead shouted , `` A sail in sight on the larboard bow . '' On hearing this , the first mate , with a glass slung over his shoulder , went aloft to have a look at the stranger . He was sometime there , and when he returned on deck I thought by his countenance that he did not like her appearance . `` She 's ship rigged , going free , and standing this way , sir , '' he said to the captain ; `` and if we keep on our present course she will be within hail of us within a couple of hours at furthest .