If the ship went up on the crest of a wave within the count of three....
Outside the wind started to blow, very lightly at first.
Chapter Four
i
Bervick sat on a tall stool by the window, his legs braced against the bulkhead. The ship groaned and creaked as she was tossed from wave to hollow to wave again.
Evans stood near the wheelsman. He watched the compass. They were having trouble keeping on course, for with each large wave they were thrown several degrees off.
“Keep her even,” said Evans.
“It’s pretty hard....” A wave crashed over their bow, spray flooded the windows for a moment. They were swung ten degrees to starboard.
“Hard to port,” said Evans, holding tightly onto the railing.
The man whirled the wheel until they were again on course.