about noon
Again and again it occurred to him . The two ships had got to the southward of Saint Domingo . In those piping times of peace there was very little excitement at sea -- no enemy to be encountered , no vessels to be chased , except perhaps a slaver from the coast of Africa . There had , however , been a steady breeze , all sail being carried , and the officers were congratulating themselves on making a quick passage , when about noon it suddenly fell calm . The sun struck down from the cloudless sky with intense heat , making the pitch in the seams of the deck bubble up and run over the white planks , while every particle of iron or brass felt as hot as if just come out of a furnace . The chips from the carpenter 's bench floated alongside , and the slush from the cook 's pots scarcely mingled with the clear water , till a huge mouth rising to the surface swallowed the mass down with a gulp , creating a ripple which extended far away from the ship 's side . The atmosphere was sultry and oppressive in the extreme , for air there was none .