CHAPTER XVII. 

DEFEAT. 

A grey dimness was creeping in upon the schooner when a little bitter breeze sprang up from westwards, and Dampier bade them get the mainsail on to her. 

"I don't like the look of the weather, and I'm beginning to feel that I'd like to see that boat," he said. "Anyhow, we'll get way on her." 

It was a relief to hoist the mainsail. The work put a little warmth into them, and the white men, at least, had been conscious of a growing uneasiness about their comrades in the boat. The breeze had, however, freshened before they set it, and there were white caps on the water when the _Selache_ headed for the ice. It had somewhat changed its formation when they approached it, for big masses had become detached from it and were moving out into the open water, while the opening had become perceptibly narrower. The light was now fading rapidly, and Wyllard took the wheel when Dampier sent the man there forward. 

"Get the cover off the second boat, and see everything clear for hoisting out," he said to him, and then called to Wyllard. "We're close enough. You'd better heave her round." 

She came round with a thrashing of canvas, stretched out seawards, and came back again with her deck sharply slanted and little puffs of bitter spray blowing over her weather rail, for there was no doubt that the breeze was freshening fast. Then Dampier sent a man up into the foremast shrouds, and looked at Wyllard afterwards. 
What was heading towards the boat? What came from the west? Who gave some orders? What did he want done? Did he feel good about the weather? What did he want to see? What did they put up? How did doing this make them feel? What was on the water? Where were they headed? What was the name of their vessel? What had happened to the ice? How had it changed? Where were they headed? Was it getting darker? Who took control of the ship? And what did Dampier do? What did he want them to uncover? And who did he speak to? What did he order him to do?
a grey dimness a bitter breeze Dampier get the mainsail on no that boat the mainsail a little warm white caps for the ice the Selache It had changed big masses became detached open water yes Wyllard sent the man forward the second boat Wyllard heave the boat around