least I am well content that he spake to me of their likeness, not I
to him; for so I may tell that there was at least something before
my eyes which grew not out of mine own brain. And yet again, why
should I follow them; and what should I get by it; and indeed how
shall I set about it?

Thus he turned the matter over and over; and at last, seeing that if
he grew no foolisher over it, he grew no wiser, he became weary
thereof, and bestirred him, and saw to the trussing up of his goods,
and made all ready for his departure, and so wore the day and slept
at nightfall; and at daybreak comes Arnold to lead him to their
keel, which hight the Bartholomew. He tarried nought, and with few
farewells went aboard ship, and an hour after they were in the open
sea with the ship's head turned toward Langton on Holm.



CHAPTER IV: STORM BEFALLS THE BARTHOLOMEW, AND SHE IS DRIVEN OFF
HER COURSE



Now swift sailed the Bartholomew for four weeks toward the north-
west with a fair wind, and all was well with ship and crew. Then
the wind died out on even of a day, so that the ship scarce made way
at all, though she rolled in a great swell of the sea, so great,
that it seemed to ridge all the main athwart. Moreover down in the
west was a great bank of cloud huddled up in haze, whereas for
twenty days past the sky had been clear, save for a few bright white
clouds flying before the wind. Now the shipmaster, a man right