Neither of us said a word.

We saw that our situation was very serious, and that we had been very foolhardy; but the words were useless now.

The only thing to be done was to pull for the ship with all our strength, and that was what we did.
So we pushed off, and rowed as we had never rowed before.

Our progress was difficult.

The sea grew steadily rougher; the wind increased; the snow thickened; and, worst of all, the day was drawing to a close.