For a few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he saw slopes of water slanting away from the tug's low side.

A half-moon shone for a few moments between ragged clouds and was hidden.
Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft.

_Terrier_ felt the drag of the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was towing.

He heard the iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the horse, the big tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch.

The hulk steered wildly, and if the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her.