From the swill came quiet, out of the shimmer a mirror disentangled itself, and lay there on the sea, smooth and bright.

But it grew dull in an instant; I heard the sails flap, but saw them no more.

A dense white vapour settled on us, the length of my arm bounded my sight, all movement ceased, and we lay on the water, inert and idle.

I leant beside the gunwale, feeling the fog moist on my face, seeing in its baffling folds a type of the toils that bound and fettered me.

Now voices rose round me, and again fell; the crew questioned, the captain urged; I heard Colbert's voice as he hurried on deck.