ht thirty-five a dull
explosion was heard, much less loud than any one would have supposed.
The outline of the mountains was changed all at once as if by an
earthquake; thick white smoke rose up to a considerable height in
the sky, leaving long crevices in the iceberg, the top part of which
fell in pieces all round the _Forward_. But the path was not yet free;
large blocks of ice remained suspended above the pass on the adjacent
mountains, and there was every reason to fear that they would fall
and close up the passage. Hatteras took in the situation at one glance.

"Wolsten!" cried he.

The gunsmith hastened up.

"Yes, captain?" cried he.

"Load the gun in the bow with a triple charge," said Hatteras, "and
wad it as hard as possible."

"Are we going to attack the mountain with cannon-balls?" asked the
doctor.

"No," answered Hatteras, "that would be useless. No bullet, Wolsten,
but a triple charge of powder. Look sharp!"

A few minutes after the gun was loaded.

"What does he mean to do without a bullet?" muttered Shandon between
his teeth.

"We shall soon see," answered the doctor.

"Ready, captain!" called out Wolsten.

"All right!" replied Hatteras.

"Brunton!" he called out to the engineer, "a few turns ahead."

Brunton opened the sliders, and the screw being put in movement, the
_Forward_ neared the mined mountain.

"Aim at the pass!" cried the captain to the gunsmith. The latter obeyed,
and when the brig was only half a cable's length from it, Hatteras
called out:

"Fire!"

A formidable report followed his order, and the blocks, shaken by
the atmospheric commotion, were suddenly precipitated into the sea;
the disturbance amongst the strata of the air had been sufficient
to accomplish this.

"All steam on, Brunton! Straight for the pass, Johnson!"

The latter was at the helm; the brig, driven along by her screw, which
turned in the foaming waves, dashed into the middle of the then opened
pass; it was time, for scarcely had the _Forward_ cleared the opening
than her prison closed up again behind her. It was a thrilling moment,
and on board there was only one stout and undisturbed heart--that
of the captain. The crew, astonished at the manoeuvre, cried out:

"Hurrah for the captain!"

CHAPTER XIV

EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF FRANKLIN

On Wednesday, the 23rd of May, the _Forward_ had again taken up her
adventurous navigation, cleverly tacking amongst the packs and
icebergs. Thanks