rig; there was
a moment of undefinable anguish; the men forsook their poles and
flocked to the stern in spite of Shandon's orders.

Suddenly a frightful sound was heard; a genuine waterspout fell upon
deck, heaved up by an enormous wave. A cry of terror rang out from
the crew whilst Garry, at the helm, held the _Forward_ in a straight
line in spite of the frightful incumbrance. When their frightened
looks were drawn towards the mountain of ice it had disappeared; the
pass was free, and further on a long channel, illuminated by the
oblique rays of the sun, allowed the brig to pursue her track.

"Well, Mr. Clawbonny," said Johnson, "can you explain to me the cause
of that phenomenon?"

"It is a very simple one," answered the doctor, "and happens very
often. When those floating bodies are disengaged from each other by
the thaw, they sail away separately, maintaining their balance; but
by degrees, as they near the south, where the water is relatively
warmer, their base, shaken by the collision with other icebergs,
begins to melt and weaken; it then happens that their centre of gravity
is displaced, and, naturally, they overturn. Only, if that one had
turned over two minutes later, it would have crushed our vessel to
pieces."

CHAPTER IX

NEWS

The Polar circle was cleared at last. On the 30th of April, at midday,
the _Forward_ passed abreast of Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains
rose up on the eastern horizon. The sea appeared almost free from
icebergs, and the few there were could easily be avoided. The wind
veered round to the south-east, and the brig, under her mizensail,
brigantine, topsails, and her topgallant sail, sailed up Baffin's
Sea. It had been a particularly calm day, and the crew were able to
take a little rest. Numerous birds were swimming and fluttering about
round the vessel; amongst others, the doctor observed some
_alca-alla_, very much like the teal, with black neck, wings and back,
and white breast; they plunged with vivacity, and their immersion
often lasted forty seconds.

The day would not have been remarkable if the following fact, however
extraordinary it may appear, had not occurred on board. At six o'clock
in the morning Richard Shandon, re-entering his cabin after having
been relieved, found upon the table a letter with this address:

"To the Commander,

"RICHARD SHANDON,

"On board the 'FORWARD,'

"Baffin's Sea."