Then I shall creep round to the front, so that Oily Dave can see me, and then, perhaps, his courage will be equal to coming outside," she said, standing up and throwing off her thick coat, for it would not do to be encumbered with much clothing when any moment might plunge her into the water.
"Katherine, don't go.

It is an awful risk, and the old man isn't worth it!" pleaded Miles, and, despite the fact of his being a boy, there were actual tears in his eyes as he urged her not to go.
But she would not listen, calling out sharply: "Bump her against the ice and then I'll spring." Putting out his strength, Miles brought the boat with a bang against the floating ice island, and at the same moment Katherine sprang lightly from the boat.

But, despite her care, she landed on all-fours, and, as the ice was awash, got rather wet in the process.

Rising to an erect position after a few preliminary staggers, she walked cautiously out towards the middle of the ice island, which would bring her within sight of the prisoner in the hut, and would, she hoped, inspire him with sufficient courage to help him in the task of getting him into the boat.
By this time the woman on the bank understood what she was doing, and ceased shouting.

It was Katherine's turn to make a noise now, and she did it with all her might.