There were rifts in the dark clouds, and the air was growing moist.

The morning light brought with it rain.

The sea gradually grew less and less troubled, and the little vessel rolled and pitched more easily.

The Captain was suddenly startled from his reverie by the increasing rays of the rising sun, who was now beginning to show his golden circle above the horizon.

He made fast the tiller and went forward to see what damage had been done through the night.