There was to my mind a threat in the weather, expressed in the silence overhead, as well as in the sullen swell underfoot.  We could not be far from the coast—­a coast line of which I knew next to nothing—­and, at any instant, the blinding fog encircling us might be swept aside by some sudden atmospheric change, catching us aback, and leaving us helpless upon the waters.  Again and again I had witnessed storms burst from just such conditions, and we were far too short-handed to take any unnecessary risk.  I talked with Harwood at the wheel, and waited, occasionally walking over to the rail, and peering out into the mist uneasily.  It seemed to me the heave of water beneath our keel grew heavier, the fog more dense, the mystery more profound.  Safety was better than progress, particularly as there was no real object any longer in our clinging to a westerly course.  The sensible thing was to lay too until the enveloping fog blew away, explore that room below, and explain my plans to the men.

This determined upon I called all hands, and with Watkins in command forward, preceded to strip the vessel of canvas, leaving exposed only a jib sheet, with closely reefed foresail, barely enough to give the wheelsman control.  This required some time and compelled me to lay hold with the others, and, when the last gasket had been secured, and the men aloft returned to the deck, Sam had the galley fire burning, and breakfast nearly ready.  The lads, saturated with moisture, and in anything but good humor, were soon restored to cheerfulness, and I left them, sitting about on deck and returned aft, where Dorothy, aroused by the noise, stood, well wrapped up, near the rail.

Sleep had refreshed her greatly, her eyes welcoming me, a red flush on either cheek.

“Have you been up all night?”

“Yes, but I would hardly know it—­a sleepless night means nothing to a sailor.”

“But it was so selfish of me to sleep all those hours.”

“I had you to think about; all we have said to each other, and our plans.”

“What are they?  You have determined?”

“To do as you suggested.  It is the braver, and, I believe, the better way.  The difficulty is going to lie in convincing the crew of their safety.  I shall explore below before having a talk with them.”

“In hope of discovering treasure to be divided?”

“Yes, that will have greater weight with those fellows than any argument, or promise.  Here comes Sam with our breakfast; we will eat here from the flag locker.”

The negro served us with some skill, and, discovering we were hungry, both did full justice to the well-cooked fare.  The denseness of the fog hid the men from us, but we could hear their voices, and occasionally a burst of laughter.  We were talking quietly together, and had nearly finished, when Watkins emerged through the mist, and approached respectfully.

“You did not like the look o’ things, sir?” he asked, staring out into the smother astern.