He left the cabin so that Dave could prepare his table for dinner as he had the time to do so.

He left the cabin; but in the passage he called the steward to him, and whispered a brief sentence to him.
He then ascended to the deck, and proceeded to take a "constitutional" on the windward side of the quarter deck.

The gale had moderated very sensibly, though the wind was still from the southward.

The sea was still quite rough, though it was likely to subside very soon.

After the captain had walked as long as he cared to do, he mounted the bridge.
"What do you think of the weather, Mr.Lillyworth ?" he asked of the officer of the deck, after he had politely returned his salute.
"I don't believe we shall have any more wind today," replied the second lieutenant, as he looked wisely at the weather indications the sky presented.