The fleecy shreds of cloud above, however, travelled swiftly across the blue sky.

It was on these that the captain fixed his gaze, and he watched them like a man who is working out a problem in his mind.

They were abreast of Honfleur now, and about half a mile out from it.

Several sloops and brigs were lying there in a cluster, and a whole fleet of brown-sailed fishing-boats were tacking slowly in.

Yet all was quiet on the curving quay and on the half-moon fort over which floated the white flag with the golden _fleur-de-lis_.