Far away in that direction, and alone in the blue heaven, I observed a little black cloud, and asked if it would bring us any wind.
"More than we want," the captain replied, shortly; and then, to my astonishment, ordered the crew aloft to take in sail.

The execution of this maneuver showed but too plainly the temper of the men; they did their work sulkily and slowly, grumbling and murmuring among themselves.
The captain's manner, as he urged them on with oaths and threats, convinced me we were in danger.

I looked again to windward.

The one little cloud had enlarged to a great bank of murky vapor, and the sea at the horizon had changed in color.
"The squall will be on us before we know where we are," said the captain.

"Go below; you will be only in the way here." I descended to the cabin, and prepared Monkton for what was coming.
He was still questioning me about what I had observed on deck when the storm burst on us.