Against the pale planking the huge rope looked like an endless serpent.

Bezant the master lying on his side gripping his thigh as blood poured on to the pale planking around him.

He straightened up as Bolitho said, 'Holding her course and progress well, Mr Bellairs.' He tapped the pale planking with his shoe.

The figures standing around the quarterdeck and grouped by the big double-wheel were still only shadows, revealed, but without personality against the pale planking.