noon
We knew only , that we were at no great distance from the Kingsmills , and probably to the south-west of them . Arthur was confident , from conversations had with Mr Frazer , and from the impressions left on his mind by his last examination of the charts , that an extensive cluster of low islands , scattered over several degrees of latitude , lay just to the south-east of us . It was accordingly determined to continue our present course as long as the wind should permit , which there was reason to fear might be but a short time , as easterly winds are the prevailing ones within the tropics , as near the line as we supposed ourselves to be . `` All in a hot and copper sky , The bloody sun , at noon , Right up above the mast did stand , No bigger than the moon . '' During the remainder of the day the wind continued fair , and we held on our course , steering by the sun , and keeping a vigilant look-out in every direction . But the night set in , and we had yet seen no appearance of land , no speck in the distance which could be mistaken for a sail , not even a wandering sea-bird or a school of flying-fish -- nothing to break the dead monotony of the briny waste we were traversing . As I sat at the helm , taking my turn in sailing the boat , and watched the sun go down , and saw the darkness gathering over the sea , a feeling nearly akin to despair took possession of me .