You cannot see them yet, but those little thickening mists in the distance mean land.

Those are the islands in front of the Windward Passage.

I think it would be a good lesson for the young gentlemen to be spread-eagled against the mists of their future.

It shall be' done at once; and pass the word why it's done." An hour later there was laughter in every portion of the ship, for the least popular members of the whole personnel were being dragooned into discipline.

The sailors had seen individual midshipmen spread-eagled and mastheaded, while all save those they could bribe were forbidden to bring them drink or food; but here was a whole body of junior officers, punished en masse, as it were, lashed to the rigging and taking the wind and the spray in their teeth.
Before the day was over, the whole ship was alive with anticipation, for, in the far distance, could be seen the dark blue and purplish shadows which told of land; and this brought the minds of all to the end of their journey, with thoughts of the crisis near.
Word had been passed that all on board were considered safe--all except the captain who had manoeuvred them to the entrance of the Caribbean Sea.