The sky brightened through transient rifts in the clouds.

Glad enough were we to see it clearing up.
Either the land had fallen off to the north; or else, in our fear of running on the cliffs, we had declined a good deal from our course.
The northern shore was now three or four leagues distant.

Fog and darkness hung over it.

The bases of the mountains were black; but their tops glistened with snow, the snow-line showing distinct two or three hundred feet above the shore.

The sails were trimmed, and the helm put round to bear up nearer.
"What a country!" exclaimed Raed, sweeping it with his glass.