made any reference to his wife's frequently expressed opinion that
there was good reason to believe that the end of this thing would be
that the Dipsey, with everybody on board of her, would suddenly, by one
of those mishaps which nobody can prevent, be blown into fine dust.

Mr. Marcy's plan was a very simple one. The Dipsey carried a great store
of explosive appliances of various patterns and of the most improved
kinds, and some of them of immense power, and Mr. Marcy proposed that a
long line of these should be laid over the level ice and then exploded.
The ice below them would be shivered into atoms, and he believed that an
open channel might thus be made, through which the Dipsey might easily
proceed. Then another line of explosives would be laid ahead of the
vessel, and the length of the canal increased. This would be a slow
method of proceeding, but it was considered a sure one.

As to the progress over the snow and ice of those who were to lay the
lines of shells, that would be easy enough. It had been supposed that
it might be necessary for the party to make overland trips, and for this
purpose twenty or more electric-motor sledges had been provided. These
sledges were far superior to any drawn by dogs or reindeer; each one of
them, mounted on broad runners of aluminium, was provided with a small
engine, charged at the vessel with electricity enough to last a week,
and was propelled by means of a light metal wheel with sharp points upon
its outer rim. This wheel was under the fore part of the sledge, and,
revolving rapidly, its points caught in the ice or frozen snow and
propelled the sledge at a good rate of speed. The wheel could be raised
or lowered, so that its points should take more or less hold of the ice,
according as circumstances demanded. In descending a declivity it could
be raised entirely, so that the person on the sledge might coast, and it
could at any time be brought down hard to act as a brake.

As soon as it was possible to get everything in order, a party of six
men, on electric sledges, headed by Mr. Marcy, started southward over
the level ice, carrying with them a number of shells, which were placed
in a long line, and connected by an electric wire with the Dipsey. When
the party had returned and the shells were exploded, the most sanguine
anticipations of Mr. Marcy were realized. A magnificent canal three
miles long lay open to the south.

Now the anchor of the Dipsey was weighed, and