big hath been the sea that but for our ship being of the stoutest,
and our men all yare, we had all grown exceeding wise concerning the
ground of the mid-main. Praise be to St. Nicholas and all Hallows!
for though ye shall presently look upon a new sea, and maybe a new
land to boot, yet is that better than looking on the ugly things
down below."

"Is all well with ship and crew then?" said Walter.

"Yea forsooth," said the shipmaster; "verily the Bartholomew is the
darling of Oak Woods; come up and look at it, how she is dealing
with wind and waves all free from fear."

So Walter did on his foul-weather raiment, and went up on to the
quarter-deck, and there indeed was a change of days; for the sea was
dark and tumbling mountain-high, and the white-horses were running
down the valleys thereof, and the clouds drave low over all, and
bore a scud of rain along with them; and though there was but a rag
of sail on her, the ship flew before the wind, rolling a great wash
of water from bulwark to bulwark.

Walter stood looking on it all awhile, holding on by a stay-rope,
and saying to himself that it was well that they were driving so
fast toward new things.

Then the shipmaster came up to him and clapped him on the shoulder
and said: "Well, shipmate, cheer up! and now come below again and
eat some meat, and drink a cup with me."

So Walter went down and ate and drank, and his heart was lighter