Never was Delphic oracle better served by nature.

The _Andromeda_ began to roll ominously; masses of black cloud climbed over the southwest horizon; at midday the ship was driving through a heavy sea.

As the day wore, the weather became even more threatening.

A sky and ocean that had striven during three weeks to produce in splendid rivalry blends of sapphire blue and emerald green and tenderest pink, were now draped in a shroud of gray mist.

With increasing frequency and venom, vaulting seas curled over the bows, and sent stinging showers of spray against the canvas shield of the bridge.