But they did not feel dull, and the hours flew by.
Down in the cabin a fire still smouldered in the iron range, and the hatch was kept shut, so as to give the appearance of night there for those who needed sleep.

They required but little air to sleep; indeed, less robust fellows, brought up in towns, would have wanted more.

They used to go to bed after the watch at irregular times, just when they felt inclined, hours counting for little in this never-fading light.
And they always slept soundly and peacefully without restlessness or bad dreams.
"Jean Francois de Nantes; Jean Francois, Jean Francois!" They looked attentively at some almost imperceptible object, far off on the horizon, some faint smoke rising from the waters like a tiny jot of another gray tint slightly darker than the sky's.

Their eyes were used to plumbing depths, and they had seen it.
"A sail, a sail, thereaway!" "I have an idea," said the skipper, staring attentively, "that it's a government cruiser coming on her inspection-round." This faint smoke brought news of home to the sailors, and among others, a letter we wrote of, from an old grandam, written by the hand of a beautiful girl.

Slowly the steamer approached till they perceived her black hull.