go deep."

"I desire no more."

"Will the ship stand such a launch, supposing we bring it about?" said
he.

I responded with one of his own shrugs, and said, "Nothing is certain.
We have one of two courses to choose: to venture this launch, or stay
till the ice breaks up, and take our chance of floating or of being
smashed."

"You are right," he exclaimed. "Here is an opportunity. If we wait,
bergs may gather about this point and build us in. As to this island
dissolving, we are yet to know which way 'tis heading. Suppose it should
be travelling south, hey!"

He struck the ice with his spear, and we toiled up the slippery rocks
with difficulty to the ship. We walked past the bows to the distance of
the vessel's length. Here were many deep holes and cracks, and as if we
were to be taught how these came about, even whilst we were viewing them
an ear-splitting crash of noise happened within twenty fathoms of us, a
rock many tons in weight rolled over, and left a black gulf behind it.

The Frenchman started, muttered, and crossed himself. "Holy Virgin!" he
cried, rolling his eyes. "Let us return to the schooner. We shall be
swallowed up here."

I own I was not a little terrified myself by the sudden loud blast and
the thunder of the uprooted rock, and the sight of the huge black rent;
but I meant to view the scene from the top, and to consider how best to
dispose of the powder in the cracks, and said, "There is nothing to be
done on board; skulking below will not deliver us or preserve the
treasure. Here are several fissures big enough to receive barrels of
gunpowder. See, Mr. Tassard, as they stand they cover the whole width of
the hollow."

And I proceeded to give him my ideas as to lowering, fixing the barrels,
and the like. He nodded his head, and said, "Yes, very good; yes, it
will do," and so on; but was too scared in his heart, I believe, to see
my full meaning. He was perpetually moving, as if he feared the ice
would split under his feet, and his eyes travelled over the face of the
rocks with every manifestation of alarm in their expression. I wondered
how so poor a creature should ever have had stomach enough to serve as a
pirate; no doubt his spirit had been enfeebled by his long sleep; but
then it is also true that the greatest bullies and most bloodthirsty
rogues prove themselves despicable curs under conditions which make no
demand upon their temper or their lust for plunder.

He would have returne