I grit my teeth and realized my jaw was already locked tight against the wet onslaught of the storm. From what I now had guessed was east the air looked lighter with the transparency of a muddy stream.

Now farther out, now closer, the small boat bounced within my view.

There was no mistaking it now. The sea was losing some of its power. The rain fell steadiy but straight down. Still, the man--for it was a man--had an astounding sense of balance.