noon
Only the moon and stars are beyond his jurisdiction . He is lord and master of the sun . It is not twelve o'clock till he says so . For when the sailing-master , whose duty it is to take the regular observation at noon , touches his hat , and reports twelve o'clock to the officer of the deck ; that functionary orders a midshipman to repair to the captain 's cabin , and humbly inform him of the respectful suggestion of the sailing-master . `` Twelve o'clock reported , sir , '' says the middy . '' _ Make _ it so , '' replies the captain . And the bell is struck eight by the messenger-boy , and twelve o'clock it is .