`` wind is up , '' the mate kept shouting . the only peace we got were the four hours they slept at noon , and four hours again after midnight . `` we 're about to land , '' he whispered , smiling . i was still looking out over the black ocean , which , to my eyes , was n't so black . that is , unless theyre trying to kill you . the old man was far down in the snow , with no leverage at all . before he could dive in , i tossed a pillow at him . 