The wind is blowing chiefly from the east, and you will never make allowance enough for drift; and I have told you over and over again that, with a light wind on our beam, we drive a mile to leeward for every two we go on our course.

There are many ships which will drift nigh a mile for every mile they sail, in light winds.

When the wind is brisk, and we are going fast through the water, then we drift but little, not more perhaps than one mile to six or seven." "But why is that, father?
How is it that a light wind blows us away sideways; and that a strong wind, instead of blowing us more, blows us less ?" "That I cannot tell you, Roger.

You must leave those questions for wiser heads to settle.

I only know that it is so--of that there is no doubt at all; but why, I have not the least idea.
"How does it strike you, Pengarvan ?" The Cornishman shook his head.
"I have thought it over, Captain, many times.