noon
There 's up ` ards o ' three feet o ' water in the hooker , now , and she 's gainin ' on us at the rate o ' two inches an hour while we pumps at her . She 's bound to the bottom , she is ; and I only hopes she 'll keep afloat long enough to let us get the boats afloat without smashin ' of 'em to smithereens alongside . Whereabouts is the nearest land , mister ; and how fur off is it ? '' `` Ask me after I have taken my sights at noon -- it looks as though I shall be able to get the sun to-day -- and I will tell you , '' said I. Then , finding the men sulky , and quite tired of listening to their curses , I went aft and relieved the wheel , remaining there until about a quarter of an hour to midday , when , the sky having cleared , I sang out for somebody to relieve me while I `` shot the sun . '' It was Harry who came at my call ; and as he took over the wheel he remarked , just loud enough for me to hear , and staring away to windward as he spoke : `` I 've made up my mind , sir ; I 'm with you and the lidy . I ai n't agoin ' to have no more truck with them other chaps ; they 're no better than murderers ; they 've mide up their minds to leave you and the lidy aboard ; and there 's no movin ' of 'em from that . '' `` All right , my lad , '' said I. `` You will find , before many hours are over your head , that you have made a wise choice .