But after a few hours clouds cover the sky. From that
moment he has not the slightest idea of east, west, north, or
south, except so far as he may infer it from the direction in
which he notices the wind to blow. For a few hours he may be
guided by the wind, provided he is sure he is not going ashore on
Long Island. Thus, in time, he feels his way out into the open
sea. By day he has some idea of direction with the aid of the sun;
by night, when the sky is clear he can steer by the Great Bear, or
"Cynosure," the compass of his ancient predecessors on the
Mediterranean. But when it is cloudy, if he persists in steaming
ahead, he may be running towards the Azores or towards Greenland,
or he may be making his way back to New York without knowing it.
So, keeping up steam only when sun or star is visible, he at
length finds that he is approaching the coast of Ireland. Then he
has to grope along much like a blind man with his staff, feeling
his way along the edge of a precipice. He can determine the
latitude at noon if the sky is clear, and his longitude in the
morning or evening in the same conditions. In this way he will get
a general idea of his whereabouts. But if he ventures to make
headway in a fog, he may find himself on the rocks at any moment.
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