itbecameasubjectofconversation，asortofcompanyforthem；alllongingtoseeher，strainedtheireyesinvaineffortstopiercethoseimpalpablewhiteshrouds。
Thenthemysteriousconsortwoulddepart，thebellowingofhertrumpetfadingawayinthedistance，andtheywouldremainagaininthedeephush，amidtheinfinityofstagnantvapour。Everythingwasdrenchedwithsaltwater；thecoldbecamemorepenetrating；eachdaythesuntooklongertosinkbelowthehorizon；therewerenowrealnightsoneortwohourslong，andtheirgraygloamingwaschillyandweird。
Everymorningtheyheavedthelead，throughfearthatthe/Marie/
mighthaveruntooneartheIcelandiccoast。Butallthelinesonboard，fastenedendtoend，werepaidoutinvain——thebottomcouldnotbetouched。Sotheyknewthattheywerewelloutinbluewater。
Lifeonboardwasroughandwholesome；thecomfortinthesnugstrongoakencabinbelowwasenhancedbytheimpressionofthepiercingcoldoutside，whentheywentdowntosupperorforrest。