V COLD IDLENESS 299 



tin basins round and pocketed the tips.) We 

 were still within shelter of Cape Griz Nez and 

 the Wimereux coast, but even there the easterly- 

 wind was blowing the water into a greenish-white 

 lather, as a strong breeze will do when there is 

 not room for a sea to get up. We steamed away 

 in a sou'westerly direction, past the long outer 

 breakwater and the high-walled fishing village of 

 Le Portel. Had they waited a little longer to 

 wash down the deck, the sea would have done it 

 for them. 



'You are cold?' Inquired I'oncle Jean coming 

 up the ladder. 



'We are very content,' we said. 



As a matter of fact, the keen wind was blowing 

 through us: we found the difference that night 

 between being at sea with nothing to do and 

 having some work, If only baling out, with which 

 to warm oneself. 'Why,' we asked, 'Is she built 

 so high In the bows?' 



*Ah ! you would see,' said I'oncle Jean, *If you 

 came with us to Iceland In the summer. It Is 

 almost always a tempest and great seas there.' 



The Marie-Marthe, one of the largest steam 

 fishing-boats out of Boulogne, Is about the size of 

 a small ocean-going tramp, but much better built 



