“You hang on this,” he said to the wheelsman. “When you being relieved?”
“In a half-hour.”
“Well, keep holding it tight. We don’t want to wander all over this damned ocean.”
“Pretty good-sized wave,” said Bervick.
“Yeah, and there’re more where that came from.” Evans was breathing hard. The struggle with the wheel had tired him. His arm ached. He flexed it carefully.
“Get your arm?” Bervick was watching him.
“Just about pulled the thing off.” Evans went to the window and leaned on the sill. The wave that had just hit them was a freak one, for the sea was not as high as it had been. The wind definitely seemed to be shifting. The sky was becoming darker. There was snow ahead.
Martin left them, and went below. Absently Evans rubbed his arm; it hurt him. He watched the water and waited for the big wind to come.
ii
Duval walked into the galley. He was hungry and, bad weather or not, he did not like to miss too many meals.