The mate's cry of alarm drew everyone's attention, but no one knew what had happened, for they had not yet had time to look up when they heard the terrifying sound of someone falling into the water.
Someone had fallen into the water.
This was everyone's first reaction.
Are they going to die?
This was everyone's second reaction.
The chainsaw fell onto the ice, emitting a high-pitched clattering vibration.
The sailor didn't immediately fall into the water; he landed on his back, crashing heavily onto the ground, and then uncontrollably slid toward the ice hole under the force of gravity.
The biting cold slowed everyone's thinking, but after a brief moment of mental stagnation, someone finally thought of rescue. The mate shed his coat, preparing to jump into the water, but a long dark shadow slid out even faster.
Indeed, it slid, and the mate felt that he must be hallucinating.
