I am all the better for the rest, but sleep was out of the question.
"How is she heading now, Mr.Hardy ?" "Northeast, sir." Fairclough took his telescope from the rack in the companion and, slinging it over his shoulder, mounted the ratlines to the top.
"Have you made out anything ?" he asked the sailor stationed there.
"I have thought, once or twice, sir, that I saw land ahead; but I could not say for certain.

It is so thick that it is only when the clouds open a bit that one has a chance." Although he had taken his glass with him, Fairclough did not attempt to use it, at present; but stood gazing fixedly ahead.

A quarter of an hour later there was a sudden rift in the clouds, and a low shore was visible, some five or six miles ahead; and a dark mass, much farther off, rising into the cloud.

Fairclough instantly unslung the telescope, and adjusted it.

A minute afterwards the clouds closed in again and, telling the man to keep a sharp lookout, he descended to the deck.
"We must set the main top-sail on her again, close reefed, of course.