The Recife, that enormous barrier reef which blockades hundreds of miles of the Brazilian coast, caused no anxiety to Coke.

He was well acquainted with these waters, and he held on stoutly until the occulting light of Maceio showed low over the sea straight ahead.

It was then after midnight, and the land was still ten miles distant, but the ship promptly resumed her role of lame duck, lest a prowling gunboat met and interrogated her.
As Coke had told Iris she might expect to be ashore about two o'clock, she waited until half-past one ere coming on deck.

Despite her unalterable decision to abide by the hideous compact entered into with her uncle and Bulmer, her first thought now was to find Hozier.

Though the sky was radiant with stars, a slight haze on the surface of the sea shrouded the ship's decks and passages in an uncanny darkness.