Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive her full-speed.
The captain's job would not be easier when he left the shoals.

The easterly gale would send the floes up stream.

Cartwright knew the strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive _blink_ that marked its edge in the dark.

Sometimes one did not see the blink until the floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled cry reached the bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over quick.

Then to dodge the floe might mean one crashed upon the next.