signal. Against this there was the strong probability that he would
not run in, if the gale and snow continued, and the fact that it was
desirable to make the beach as soon as possible in case the ice broke up
before they reached it. What was rather more to the purpose, Wyllard was
quietly determined on pushing on.

"It can't be helped," he said simply. "We'll start for the beach as soon
as it's daylight."

Charly made no answer, and the brawny, dark-skinned Siwash, who spoke
English reasonably well, merely grunted. Unless it seemed necessary, he
seldom said anything at all. Bred to the sea, and living on the seal and
salmon, an additional hazard or two or an extra strain on his tough body
did not count for much with him. He had been accustomed to sleep wet
through with icy water, and to crouch for hours with numbed hands
clenched on the steering-paddle while the long sea canoe scudded
furiously over the big combers before bitter gale or driving snow.
Wyllard, who rolled over, pulled a wet sleeping-bag across him, and
after that there was silence in the little rocking tent.

* * * * *

Charly's deductions had been proved correct, for when the breeze
freshened Dampier climbed into the shrouds. He had noticed the ominous
blackness to windward, and he knew what it meant. That was why he had
hauled down a reef in the schooner's mainsail, and now kept the vessel
out a little from the ice. As the light faded he found it very difficult
to see the boat against the white wash of the seas that recoiled from
the ice, but when the snow was whirling about him he decided that she
was in some peril unless her crew could pull her around the point. It
was evident that this would be a difficult matter, though he had only an
occasional glimpse of her now. He waved an arm to the helmsman, who
understood that he was to run the schooner in. There was a rattle of
blocks as the booms swung out, and as the _Selache_ sped away before the
rapidly freshening breeze it seemed to Dampier that he saw the boat
hurled upon the ice. A blinding haze of snow suddenly shut out
everything, and the skipper hastened down to the deck. He stood beside
the wheel for several minutes. Gazing forward, he could see nothing
except the filmy whiteness and the tops of the seas that had steadily
been getting steeper. The schooner was driving furiously down upon the
ice, but it was evident that to send Wyllard any assistance