The ocean is covered by a mist, which the first rays of the sun will speedily disperse.
I can, however, see for a half a mile, and if the three-masted merchantman is not visible, it is probably because she is lying off the other, or port, side of the _Ebba_.
Presently I hear a key turned in my door, and the bolts drawn.

I push the door open and clamber up the iron ladder to the deck, just as the men are battening down the cover of the hold.
I look for the Count d'Artigas, but do not see him.

He has not yet left his cabin.
Aft, Captain Spade and Engineer Serko are superintending the stowing of some bales, which have doubtless been hoisted from the hold.

This explains the noisy operations that were going on when I was awakened.
Obviously, if the crew are getting out the cargo, we are approaching the end of our voyage.

We are not far from port, and perhaps in a few hours, the schooner will drop anchor.
But what about the sailing ship that was to port of us?
She ought to be in the same place, seeing that there has been and is no wind.
I look for her, but she is nowhere to be seen.