On the second occasion her visitor brought the cheering news that they would be under the lee of Fernando Noronha early next morning.

She had sufficient sea lore to understand that this implied shelter from wind and wave, but Hozier omitted to tell her that the only practicable roadstead in the island, being on the weather side, would be rendered unsafe by the present adverse combination of the elements.

In fact, Coke had already called both Watts and Hozier into council, and they had agreed with him that the wiser plan would be to bear in towards the island from the east, and anchor in smooth water as close to South Point as the lead would permit.
As for Iris's wild foreboding that the ship was intended to be lost, Philip did not give it other than a passing thought.

Coke was navigating the _Andromeda_ with exceeding care and no little skill.

He was a first-rate practical sailor, and it was an education to the younger man to watch his handling of the vessel throughout the worst part of the blow.