noon
For one uneventful week , the ship cruised in search of the islands to which the owners had directed her . At the end of that time the wind took the predicted liberties with the Captain 's whiskers ; and Mr. Duncalf stood revealed to an admiring crew in the character of a true prophet . For three days and three nights the _ Fortuna _ ran before the storm , at the mercy of wind and sea . On the fourth morning the gale blew itself out , the sun appeared again toward noon , and the Captain was able to take an observation . The result informed him that he was in a part of the Pacific Ocean with which he was entirely unacquainted . Thereupon , the officers were called to a council in the cabin . Mr. Duncalf , as became his rank , was consulted first .