"It's stiff work for the old ship," said the mate.
The captain growled as he pulled the signal lever for full speed astern.
"Take half a day to cut a way through," he said. "We'll ram it. Here, b'y," to Archie, "get off the bridge. You're in the way."
Archie joined Billy Topsail on the forward deck. Neither had yet experienced a charge on a pan of ice; but both had listened, open eyed, to the sealing tales of daring that had brought disaster.
"I feel queer," Archie remarked.
"Cap'n Hand," said Billy, as though trying to revive his faith in the old skipper, "he's a clever one. 'Tis all right."
"Make fast below," the captain shouted over the bridge rail.
The word was passed in a lively fashion. Tackle, boats, and all things loose, were lashed in their places, as if for a great gale.
"Stop!" was the next signal. Then: "Full speed ahead!"