"It seems to me, sir, that the breeze is falling, and going round to the west." "What does the barometer say ?" asked Robur, after looking up at the sky.
"It is almost stationary, and the clouds seem gathering below us." "So they are, and it may be raining down at the sea; but if we keep above the rain it makes no difference to us.

It will not interfere with the work." "If it is raining it is not a heavy rain," said Tom.

"The clouds do not look like it, and probably the wind has dropped altogether." "Perhaps so, but I think we had better not go down yet.

Let us get into going order as soon as we can, and then we can do as we like." At a few minutes after two the first part of the work was finished.
The fore-screw was in its place, and the power was turned on.

The speed was gradually increased, and the "Albatross," heading to the southwest, returned at moderate speed towards the Chatham Islands.
"Tom," said Robur, "it is about two hours and a half since we got adrift.