[Now this chapter was read of evenings in the refectory at supper, in the winter of the Great Snow.  While the drifts without lay fathom-deep in sheltered places, and the snow was settling on the weather-side of things in long slopes like white pent-houses, the community listened with rapt attention, picturing to themselves the slanting ship, and the red sail of skins with its yellow cross in the midst, and the marvellous vision of vast waters, and the strange islands.  Then suddenly the Prior would strike the table, and according to the custom the reader would close his book with the words, "Tu autem, Domine--But do Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!" and the monks would rise, with interest still keen in the wanderings of the Sea-farers.