noon
The commander , thinking it likely that she had kept to the westward , steered in that direction . The day wore on , but still no sail appeared , nor did it seem at all likely that the chase would again be sighted . The ship was therefore put about to rejoin the _ Ione _ . Soon after noon the wind fell , and the _ Lily _ lay motionless on the glassy ocean ; the sun shining forth with intense heat , making the pitch in the seams of the deck bubble up , and every piece of metal feel as if it had just come out of a furnace . The seamen sought every spot of shade which the sails afforded , and made frequent visits to the water-cask to quench their thirst . A few hours thus passed by , when , away to the south-east , a few clouds could be seen floating across the sky . `` The calm can only be partial , for there 's wind out there , '' observed the commander , pointing the clouds out to the first lieutenant .