noon
The captain took charge of the launch , putting Mr. Marble , Rupert , Neb , myself and the cook , into the jolly-boat , with orders to keep as close as possible to himself . Both boats had sails , and both were so arranged as to row in calms , or head-winds . We took in rather more than our share of provisions and water , having two skillful caterers in the chief-mate and cook ; and , having obtained a compass , quadrant , and a chart , for our portion of the indispensables , all hands were ready for a start , in about two hours after the ship had struck . It was just noon when we cast off from the wreck , and stood directly off the land . According to our calculations , the wind enabled us to run , with a clean full , on our true course . As the boats drew out into the ocean , we had abundant opportunities of discovering how many dangers we had escaped ; and , for my own part , I felt deeply grateful , even then , as I was going out upon the wide Atlantic in a mere shell of a boat , at the mercy we had experienced . No sooner were we fairly in deep water , than the captain and mate had a dialogue on the subject of the currents again .