so, of course, from that day nigel thought of nothing else. and as he sailed hither and thither upon the high seas he saw from time to time the light that shone out to sea across the wild swirl of the nine whirlpools. and one night, when the ship was at anchor and the skipper asleep in his bunk, nigel launched the ship's boat and steered alone over the dark sea towards the light. he dared not go very near till daylight should show him what, indeed, were the whirlpools he had to dread.