On the way we ran into a high wind and the towrope broke.

在路上我们遇到大风，拖船的绳子断了。

A towrope as thick as a man's arm extended from several scantily clothed tow-men, all the way to the bow.

一根粗如人臂的缆绳，从几个衣不蔽体的拉纤人一直连系到船头。