Dawn came with a clear sky, cold and fearless.

I looked around at the faces of my companions in the 'James Caird' and saw pinched and drawn features.

The strain was beginning to tell.

Wild sat at the rudder with the same calm, confident expression that he would have worn under happier conditions; his steel-blue eyes looked out to the day ahead.

All the people, though evidently suffering, were doing their best to be cheerful, and the prospect of a hot breakfast was inspiriting.