But his spirit no longer vacillated; now that he was really in the beginning of his long contemplated enterprise his natural strength of mind returned.

The weakness and irresolution, the hesitation, left him.

He became full of his adventure, and thought of nothing else.
The south-west breeze, blowing as a man breathes, with alternate rise and fall, now driving him along rapidly till the water bubbled under the prow, now sinking, came over his right shoulder and cooled his cheek, for it was now noon, and the June sun was unchecked by clouds.

He could no longer distinguish the shape of the trees on shore; all the boughs were blended together in one great wood, stretching as far as he could see.

On his left there was a chain of islands, some covered with firs, and others only with brushwood, while others again were so low and flat that the waves in stormy weather broke almost over them.
As he drew near White Horse, five white terns, or sea-swallows, flew over; he did not welcome their appearance, as they usually preceded rough gales.