With it came a gust of wind, to which that which had already been blowing was a trifle.

There was no more talking, for nothing less than a shout could have been heard above the roaring of the wind.

It was scarcely possible to stand against the fury of the squall, and they were driven across the road, and took shelter at the corner of some houses, where the fishermen had already retired.
The squall lasted but a few minutes, but was soon succeeded by another, almost equally furious, and this seemed to increase in strength, until the wind was blowing a perfect hurricane; but the fishermen now struggled across the road again, for, between the rain squalls, a glimpse had been caught of two of the fishing boats, and these were now approaching the shore.

A mere rag of sail was set on each, and yet they tore over the waves at tremendous speed.
One was some two hundred yards ahead of the other, and by the course they were making, they would come ashore nearly at the same spot.

The news that two boats were in sight spread rapidly, and many of the fishermen's wives, with shawls over their heads, ran down and stood peering out from behind shelter, for it was well-nigh impossible to stand exposed to the fury of the gale.
An old fisherman stood, with a coil of rope in his hand, close to the water's edge.