Everything portended a severe gale.
Finding, at Mrs.Walsham's, that James was down on the beach, he continued his course until he joined him there.

James was standing with a group of fishermen, who were looking seaward.

Now that he was exposed to the full force of the wind, Mr.Wilks felt that, not only was it going to blow a gale, but that it was blowing one already.

The heavy clouds on the horizon seemed to lie upon the water, the waves were breaking with great force upon the beach, and the fishermen had hauled their boats up across the road.
"It's blowing hard, Jim," he said, laying his hand on the young fellow's shoulder.
"It is blowing hard, and it will blow a great deal harder before nightfall.

The fishermen all think it is going to be an exceptional gale.