"We are the first on the field," he said.
"Not so sure of that, sir," said Ben Zoof.
"What do you mean ?" asked Servadac, looking at his watch, which he had set as nearly as possible by the sun before leaving the gourbi; "it is not nine o'clock yet." "Look up there, sir.

I am much mistaken if that is not the sun;" and as Ben Zoof spoke, he pointed directly overhead to where a faint white disc was dimly visible through the haze of clouds.
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Servadac.

"How can the sun be in the zenith, in the month of January, in lat.

39 degrees N. ?" "Can't say, sir.

I only know the sun is there; and at the rate he has been traveling, I would lay my cap to a dish of couscous that in less than three hours he will have set." Hector Servadac, mute and motionless, stood with folded arms.