"Looks beastly thick to windward, though. Think we should get up steam?"
"As you please, sir."
"I was asking you."
"Well, I wouldn't. We'll keep her up a point or two; she'll weather anything."
"There!"
It was a bright flash of lightning that illuminated everything on deck, till brass-work stood out like burnished gold.
This was followed by a peal of thunder that appeared to roll the ship up and crush her from stem to stern as one would an empty match-box.
"That'll do good."
"Eh?"
"It'll bring rain, and rain will lay the wind and sea. Hail will anyhow, and there it comes."