Abruptly the wind stopped, and the rain. He looked up and saw the retreating clouds uncovering stars behind him. The moon shone more brightly. The scent of the jungle was deeper and the man with the sword in the sky smiled as he swung past the mast. Martin stripped off his dungarees and wrung the water from them. The stiffening cloth was still moist when he pulled them on again.
He was surprised toward the latter part of his watch by a heavy, amused voice.
“Get your end wet?”
He saw Rio smiling at him.
“I did,” he replied gravely.
Rio slapped his hands together.
“Why’d you go to sea?”
Martin rubbed his chin and looked away.
“I’m getting along,” he answered.