Every minute his position grew more hopeless and the desire to struggle less.
Once or twice he did try, but his efforts were vain; and at last he lay panting and exhausted and staring at the black darkness which suddenly seemed to have grown grey.
Was he awake?
Had he been to sleep?
Where was he?
He realised it all like a flash.

He was in that cramped berth in the little cabin; and though he had not felt the approach of sleep, he must have been fast for some hours and had an attack of nightmare, from which he had awakened flat upon his back.
Mark uttered a sigh of relief, changed his position, lay looking at the grey light of morning and listening to some faintly-heard sounds, and then made up his mind to get up and dress.
Almost as a matter of course the result was that he dropped off fast asleep, and lay till a pleasant familiar voice cried to him that breakfast was nearly ready.
Getting off the shelf was nearly as difficult as getting upon it, but Mark took his first lesson in a determined way, and entered the cabin well rested and hungry just as the captain made his appearance.
"Oh, father, I feel so ashamed!" cried Mark.
"Why, my lad ?" "Sleeping comfortably there while you've been up at work all night." "Nothing of the kind, my boy.

Mr Morgan relieved us at three, and I've had five hours' sleep since then.

Here they come." Mr Gregory and Mr Morgan entered the cabin directly, both looking as calm and comfortable as if nothing had disturbed them.

After the first greetings the first-mate began to look round the cabin.
"What's wrong, Gregory ?" said the captain.
"Wrong!" said the first-mate.