The weather grew thicker, and the sky darker.

By half-past ten, P.M., although the sun must have been still high above the horizon, it was dark as one often sees it on a stormy night when there is a moon in the heavens.

In fact, it grew too dark to make out the ice-patches; for, despite our watchfulness, at about five minutes to eleven we struck against a large mass with a shock which made things rattle down stairs.

Guard barked, and Palmleaf showed a very scared face in the companion-way.
"Where are your eyes there, forward ?" shouted the captain.

"Couldn't you see that ?" Just then we grazed pretty heavily against another cake.
"It is really getting too dark for us, captain," said Raed.
"Take in the foresail, then." The sail was at once furled.