His nerve was just a little
touched, and he muttered, "This is a devil of a night. I wish we were
well home."
It was indeed a weird night; the wind thrummed on the cordage; the gaff
whistled with tremulous sounds, as though some frightened soul were
shivering at the mast-head; and when the inky waves rolled out of the
gloom, they showed no definite shape--only a sliding dark cloud fringed
with white flame. There is always a steady roar from the sails, and one
hears it better at night; Jack had often heard the roar rise to a howl,
but no noise that ever he knew had such effect on him as the rushing
moan from the sails that night.
There are only two men in a watch on board a smack, and it often happens
that one will go below to fetch some of the tea which the seamen drink
so insatiably. Jack's mate was below, but the helmsman had no fear, as
all was clear. He mused on, always peering sharply round for a few
minutes when suddenly, over the haze which was rising, he saw a white
light, and then the loom of a green.
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