Great billows followed them as they ran, and broke about the stern of the ship in fountains of freezing spray which drenched them to the skin.  Little ease had they in their sea-faring in that long race with the north wind, for every moment they looked to have the mast torn up by the root and the frame-work of the ship broken asunder.  The salt surf quenched their fire and mingled their bread with bitterness.