The schooner in her position would be almost sure to drag her anchor and then would drive on the rocks, but they seemed to have no apprehensions, and, it was quite evident now, that they were not going back to the vessel until the next day.

The ghastly quality of the night increased, however.

The lightning flared so much and it was so red that it was uncanny, it even had a supernatural tinge, and the sullen rumbling of the distant thunder added to it.
The effect upon Robert, situated as he was and alone for many months, was very great.

Something weird, something wild and in touch with the storm that threatened but did not break, crept into his own blood.

He was filled with hatred and contempt of the men who caroused there.