The Duke was the first to be astir in the morning, and as soon as he opened his eyes he made up his mind that the weather was improving.

The sea was still running high, but there was no sound of water breaking over the bulwarks.

He emerged from his deck-cabin, and took a sniff of the morning air.

A reef had been shaken out of the trysails, and the fore-topsail and jib were set.

He went aft, and found the mate just heaving the patent log.
"Nine and a half, your Grace," said the officer with a chuckle, for he was an old sailor, and hated steamers.
"That's very fair," remarked the owner, skating off with his bare feet over the wet deck.