Away they went.
And such a boat for running before the wind Jack had never seen before. The sea stood up round about them like a deep snow-drift, although it was almost calm. But they hadn't gone very far before a nasty piping began in the air. The birds shrieked and made for land, and the sea rose like a black wall behind them.
It was the Gan-Finn who had opened his wind-sack, and sent a storm after them.
"One needs a full sail in the Finn-cauldron here," said something from behind the mast.
The fellow who had the boat in hand took such little heed of the weather that he did not so much as take in a single clew.
Then the Gan-Finn sent double knots11 after them.
They sped along in a wild dance right over the firth, and the sea whirled up in white columns of foam, reaching to the very clouds.
Unless the boat could fly as quick and quicker than a bird, it was lost.
Then a hideous laugh was heard to larboard--
"Anfinn Ganfinn gives mouth,
And blows us right south;
There's a crack12 in the sack,
With three clews we must tack."