So Ludar bade us shorten our canvas and put out our ship's head a bit, so as to give the coast a wide berth.
And, in truth, as the day wore on, the wind freshened into a gale, and the gale into a tempest, so that if we had promised ourselves relief after the perils of last night, our hopes were dashed.

The sea, which so far had been easy, ran now high, and washed over our prow as we stood across the wind, and it was plain we were going to find out before long of what mettle our brave timbers were.
'Twas no light thing to face a night like this, even with a good crew-- how much less with but four men and a maid?
Yet I never saw Ludar more at his ease.

In the danger of last night his face had been troubled and his manner excited.

Now he gave his orders as if this were a pleasure trip on a quiet lake.
"What is there to mind," said he, "in a capful of wind?
'Tis sent to help us on our way; whereas, had we been taken last night where should we be now?
Come, my men, help me shorten sail, for a little will go a long way a night like this.

Maiden, to you I trust the helm with a light heart.