Meanwhile the wind increased, and snow began to fall in large flakes.

The tide, too, as it receded, brought a stream of ice round the point ahead of them, which bore right down on their bows.

At first the concussions were slight, and the bow of the ship turned the floes aside; but heavier masses soon came down, and at last one fixed itself on the cable, and caused the anchor to drag with a harsh, grating sound.
Fred Ellice, who stood beside the second mate near the companion hatch, looked inquiringly at him.
"Ah! that's bad," said Saunders, shaking his head slowly; "I dinna like that sound.

If we're carried out into the pack there, dear knows where we'll turn up in the long run." "Perhaps we'll turn bottom up, sir," suggested the fat cook as he passed at the moment with a tray of meat.

Mizzle could not resist a joke--no matter how unsuitable the time or dreadful the consequences.
"Hold your tongue, sir!" exclaimed Saunders indignantly.