But whether they were too much engaged with their own affairs, or kept a careless look-out, no notice appeared to be taken, no boat was lowered.
He watched the war-ship for nearly an hour before he ventured to move.
Her course was to the eastward, inside the fringe of islands.

That she was neither Irish nor Welsh he was certain from her build and from her flags; they were too distant for the exact designs upon them to be seen, but near enough for him to know that they were not those displayed by the foreigners.

She sailed fast, having the wind nearly aft, which suited her two square sails.
The wind had risen high during the night, and now blew almost a gale, so that he saw he must abandon for the present his project of sailing out upon the open water.

The waves there would be too high for his canoe, which floated low in the water, and had but about six inches freeboard.
They would wash over and possibly swamp her.

Only two courses were open to him: either to sail inside the islands under shelter of the land, or to remain where he was till the breeze moderated.