rlwind of
snow, while the floating ice was crashing ominously all about.

But soon it was evident that there was no outlet to this gorge; a huge
block, caught in the channel, was floating swiftly down to the
_Forward_; it seemed impossible to escape it, and equally impossible
to return through an already closed path.

Shandon and Johnson, standing on the forward deck, were viewing their
position. Shandon with his right hand signalled to the man at the
wheel what direction he was to take, and with his left hand he
indicated to James Wall the orders for the engines.

"What will be the end of this?" asked the doctor of Johnson.

"What pleases God," answered the boatswain.

The block of ice, eight hundred feet high, was hardly more than a
cable's length from the _Forward_, and threatened to crush it.

Pen broke out with a fearful oath.

"Silence!" cried a voice which it was impossible to recognize in the
roar of the hurricane.

The mass appeared to be falling upon the brig, and there was an
indefinable moment of terror; the men, dropping their poles, ran aft
in spite of Shandon's orders.

Suddenly, a terrible noise was heard; a real water-spout fell on the
deck of the brig, which was lifted in the air by a huge wave. The crew
uttered a cry of terror, while Garry, still firm at the wheel, kept
the course of the _Forward_ steady, in spite of the fearful lurch.

[Illustration]

And when they looked for the mountain of ice, it had disappeared; the
passage was free, and beyond, a long channel, lit up by the sun,
allowed the brig to continue her advance.

"Well, Dr. Clawbonny," said Johnson, "can you explain that?"

"It's very simple, my friend," answered the doctor. "It happens very
often; when these floating masses get detached in a thaw, they float
away in perfect equilibrium; but as they get towards the south, where
the water is relatively warmer, their base, eaten away by running into
other pieces, begins to melt, and be undermined; then comes a moment
when the centre of gravity is displaced, and they turn upside down.
Only, if this had happened two minutes later, it would have fallen on
the brig and crushed us beneath it."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IX.
ANOTHER LETTER.

The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday,
the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in
the east. The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the
ice could be avoided.