noon
I thanked the captain for his attention to our interests , told him I would take time to consider what course I should pursue , and begged that he would say nothing to my friend about the discovery he had made . He promised to be silent , sulkily enough , and walked away from me . We had expected the breeze to spring up with the morning , but no breeze came . As it wore on toward noon the atmosphere became insufferably sultry , and the sea looked as smooth as glass . I saw the captain 's eye turn often and anxiously to windward . Far away in that direction , and alone in the blue heaven , I observed a little black cloud , and asked if it would bring us any wind . `` More than we want , '' the captain replied , shortly ; and then , to my astonishment , ordered the crew aloft to take in sail .