"These things, or creatures that you say come out of the sea," he said. "You've never seen them, except after nightfall?" he asked. "No, Sir," I replied. "Never." He turned to the Second Mate. "So far as I can make out, Mr. Tulipson," he remarked, "the danger seems to be only at night." "It's always been at night, Sir," the Second answered. The Old Man nodded. "Have you anything to propose, Mr. Tulipson?" he asked. "Well, Sir," replied the Second Mate. "I think you ought to have her snugged down every night, before dark!" He spoke with considerable emphasis. Then he glanced aloft, and jerked his head in the direction of the unfurled t'gallants. "It's a damned good thing, Sir," he said, "that it didn't come on to blow any harder." The Old Man nodded again. "Yes," he remarked. "We shall have to do it; but God knows when we'll get home!" "Better late than not at all," I heard the Second mutter, under his breath. Out loud, he said: "And the lights, Sir?" "Yes," said the Old Man. "I will have lamps in the rigging every night, after dark." "Very good, Sir," assented the Second. Then he turned to us. "It's getting daylight, Jessop," he remarked, with a glance at the sky. "You'd better take Tammy with you, and shove those lamps back again into the locker." "i, i, Sir," I said, and went down off the poop with Tammy. XIII _The Shadow in the Sea_ When eight bells went, at four o'clock, and the other watch came on deck to relieve us, it had been broad daylight for some time. Before we went below, the Second Mate had the three t'gallants set; and now that it was light, we were pretty curious to have a look aloft, especially up the fore; and Tom, who had been up to overhaul the gear, was questioned a lot, when he came down, as to whether there were any signs of anything queer up there. But he told us there was nothing unusual to be seen. At eight o'clock, when we came on deck for the eight to twelve watch, I saw the Sailmaker coming forrard along the deck, from the Second Mate's old berth. He had his rule in his hand, and I knew he had been measuring the poor beggars in there, for their burial outfit. From breakfast time until near noon, he worked, shaping out three canvas wrappers from some old sailcloth. Then, with the aid of the Second Mate and one of the hands, he brought out the three dead chaps on to the after hatch, and there sewed them up, with a few lumps of holy stone at their feet. He was just finishing when eight bells went, and I heard the Old Man tell the Second Mate to call all hands aft for the burial. This was done, and one of the gangways unshipped.