noon
Accordingly , their scaly ancestors infest the island 's rivers and are the subjects of special veneration . They are sheltered , nurtured , flattered , pampered , and offered a ritual diet of nubile maidens ; and woe to the foreigner who lifts a finger against these sacred saurians . But the Nautilus wanted nothing to do with these nasty animals . Timor Island was visible for barely an instant at noon while the chief officer determined his position . I also caught only a glimpse of little Roti Island , part of this same group , whose women have a well-established reputation for beauty in the Malaysian marketplace . After our position fix , the Nautilus 's latitude bearings were modulated to the southwest . Our prow pointed to the Indian Ocean .