Chapter XII · 167

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

quick and energetic

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a holder with sockets for candles

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a small inlet

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Hard weather had followed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Hard weather had followed.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

and nothing more

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading Winter still lingered.

(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

possessive form of “luke” — (New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

on one occasion

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

above and across; more than

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

somewhat hungry

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a large beer glass

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

get by special effort

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

the season of growth

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

not in physical motion

From this reading Winter still lingered.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)

From this reading The mild spell, which had interrupted the journey of Billy Topsail and Teddy Brisk across Schooner Bay, had been a mere taste of spring.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

in or at that place or location

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Hard weather had followed.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

which person or people

From this reading _In Which Doctor Luke and Billy Topsail Go North, and at Candlestick Cove, Returning, Doctor Luke Finds Himself Just a Bit Peckish_ A rumour came to Our Harbour, by the tongue of a fur-trader, who stopped over night at Doctor Luke's hospital, on his way to the South, that there was sickness in the North--some need or other; the fur-trader was not sure what.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Winter still lingered.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Schooner Bay was once more jammed with ice, which had drifted back--jammed and frozen solid; and the way from Our Harbour to Tight Cove was secure.