The short northern night would be no darker than now until the sunrising, for we were close on midsummer, and there was every sign of settled fair weather after the gale.

Even now the last breeze was dying away, leaving the sea bright and unruffled under the glow in the northwest sky.

It was only to be hoped that presently some summer breeze might suffer us to lay our course southward or eastward, toward the land where we might find haven and help.
Now Bertric set us to work, and we had little or no trouble, for the breeze fell altogether very quickly.

The sheet had fouled the great cleat which was bolted to the deck beams amidships aft for the backstay, and that was easily cleared.

Then we swung the yard fore and aft, Dalfin hauling as he was bidden, with fixed intent to haul till further orders, which was all we needed from him.