l de sac_, a neck of solid ice, some fifty
yards in width, dividing it from the open water in which the barque was
still battling for her life.

What was to be done? There was no time to discuss the question; but a
happy inspiration flashed through the baronet's brain.

"We must _leap_ the barrier!" he exclaimed.

"Right! I understand," was the professor's brief reply; and, turning
the compressed air into the water-chambers, he forced out the water and
succeeded in raising the sharp nose of the _Flying Fish_ just above the
level of the floe a single instant before she reached it.

It was a tremendous risk to run--one which would never have been thought
of in cold blood, as the ship was rushing forward at full speed, and
there was no knowing what might happen; but the sympathies of the party
were now so fully aroused by the awful peril of the barque--which, in
the midst of all her danger, was still gaily dressed in flags--that they
never paused to think of the possible consequences, but sent the ship at
the barrier as a huntsman sends his horse to a desperate leap. For an
infinitesimal fraction of time the four adventurous travellers were
thrilled with a feeling of wild exultation as they held their breath and
braced themselves for the expected shock. Then the smooth polished hull
of the _Flying Fish_ met the ice, and, rising like a hunter to the leap,
slid smoothly, and without the slightest jar, up on to the surface of
the floe, across the narrow barrier, and into the water beyond.

"Stop her!" shouted Mildmay, checking the exultant cheer which rose to
the lips of his companions. "Sheer as close alongside the barque as you
can go, Sir Reginald, and give me a chance to get our heaving line on
board. Then, as soon as I wave my hand, go ahead gently until you have
brought a strain upon the hawser, when you may increase the speed to
about twelve knots--not more, or you will tear the windlass out of the
barque. Steer straight out between those two bergs, and remember that
_moments_ are now precious."

With these words the lieutenant hurried out on deck and made his way
aft, where he at once began to clear away the heaving line and make
ready for a cast.

The engines meanwhile had been stopped in obedience to Mildmay's
command, his companions intuitively recognising that he was the man to
cope with the present emergency, and the _Flying Fish_ answering the
helm, which the baronet, an experienced yachtsman, was