n laid under
tribute by the frost, and a solid hillock had gathered forward; the
anchor was covered in like a candied fruit; the boat was entirely
concealed by a hard white mass; while as for the ropes--they cannot be
described fittingly. Would any one imagine that a half-inch rope could
be made the centre of a column of ice three inches in diameter? Would
any one imagine that a small block could be the nucleus of a lump as
large as a pumpkin? From stem to stern the vessel was caked in glossy
ice, and from her gaffs and booms hung huge icicles like the stalagmites
of the Dropping Cave. All the other smacks were in the same plight, and
it was quite clear that no fishing could be done for awhile, because
every set of trawl-gear was banked in by a slippery, heavy rock.

There was something dismal and forlorn in the sound of the salutations
as Ferrier ran past each vessel; the men were in low spirits despite
their deliverance, for there was damage visible in almost every craft,
and, moreover, the shadow of Death was there. When Lewis came alongside
of the Admiral he sang out "What cheer?" and the answer came, "Very bad.
We shall be a fortnight before we get them together."

"Do you think many are lost?"

"I knows of seven gone down, but there may be more for all I know. Some
that ran for home would get nabbed on the Winterton or the Scrowby."
"Up with our flag, skipper, and see about the boat." Ferrier knew that
his task would soon be upon him, and he helped like a Titan, with axe
and pick, to clear away the ice. A spell of two hours' labour, and the
expenditure of dozens of kettles of hot water, freed the boat, and she
was put out, regardless of the chance of losing her. (By the way, the
men care very little about a boat's being swamped so long as the painter
holds. I have seen three go under astern of one vessel during the
delivery of fish. The little incident only caused laughter.)

The chapter of casualties was enough to curdle the blood of any one but
a doctor--a doctor with perfect nerve and training. All kinds of violent
exertions had been used to save the vessels, and men had toiled with
sacks sewn round their boots to avoid slipping on a glassy surface which
froze like a mirror whenever it was exposed for a few seconds to the air
between the onrushes of successive waves. Ferrier carried his life in
his hand for three days as he went from vessel to vessel; the sea was
unpleasant; the risk involved in springing ov