noon
`` She has , '' observed the captain . The sun 's elevation was read off on the index , and the instruments were returned to their cases . The calculation was very quickly worked out on a scrap of card . `` Make it noon , Mr Thudicumb , '' said the captain , as , returning the case to the young cabin-boy , he directed him to take it below . While the captain and his first officer were making their observation , a group of midshipmen had collected on the deck with their quadrants in their hands , doing their best to shoot the sun , but their less experienced eyes could make but little of it in that heavy sea ; and when they came to read off their observations , they were somewhat surprised at the wonderful difference which existed among them . Stopping to listen to a few remarks made to them by the captain , they hurried off the deck to deposit their quadrants in places of safety . The dog all the time stood with his feet firmly planted on the deck , watching the captain , as if he fully understood what was going on .