In the clear air, were visible the upper spars and canvass of the entire fleet mentioned by the stranger; sixteen sail in all.

There were the eleven two-deckers, and the three frigates, rising in pyramids of canvass, still fanning in towards the anchorage, which in that roadstead was within pistol-shot of the shore; while the royals and upper part of the topgallant sails of the sloop seemed to stand on the surface of the fog, like a monument.

After a moment's pause, Wychecombe discovered even the head of the cutter's royal-mast, with the pennant lazily fluttering ahead of it, partly concealed in vapour.

The fog seemed to settle, instead of rising, though it evidently rolled along the face of the waters, putting the whole scene in motion.

It was not long ere the tops of the ships of the line became visible, and then living beings were for the first time seen in the moving masses.
"I suppose we offer just such a sight to the top-men of the ships, as they offer to us," observed the stranger.