‘Do you think we will have another storm?’ asked Roana nervously. ‘No, not tonight. These clouds are too high. In fact, these clouds are good,’ Fox observed optimistically. ‘They’ll hide what little moon there is and make it harder for the Sedahs to see us.’ From midafternoon, the Owl no longer skimmed south, but bobbed in the ocean. Fox sent orders for all the sails to be dropped and folded, put away and replaced. The new sails were all black – painted with diluted pitch. ‘My invisibility wings,’ Fox joked. ‘With the moon’s face hidden, all the lanterns doused and black sails, no-one will be able to see us until it’s too late.’ Fox suggested that everyone except Jack should try to sleep, to prepare for the hoped-for arrival of the Sea Dragon sometime in the early morning. When Jack came to wake them at midnight, it was chilly. Everyone dressed quickly in black silk shirts, black woollen caps and black cloaks over their usual breeches and skirts. Ethan made hot coffee and cold beef sandwiches.
