ing rapidly away from the
north pole; and the fact that I was afloat was settled conclusively by a
very alarming circumstance. I had observed for a day or two, that the
hanging-lamp did not appear to be entirely perpendicular; and, in
walking the deck, I had the sensation that I was not treading on a
perfectly level surface. Searching the mate's room, I found a
spirit-level, and laid it on the floor. There was no doubt of the fact:
the berg was undoubtedly tilting on one side. I then remembered, that,
not unfrequently, these mountains of ice rolled over, and made a
complete somerset. This was now, sooner or later, going to happen. What
could I do? I found that the ice, on the side that was beginning to
incline towards the sea, was much higher than elsewhere, and that this
superior weight was gradually destroying the equilibrium of the berg. I
also observed, that, between this elevation and the more level region,
there was a narrow, deep fissure, extending almost entirely across the
line of the lofty projection of ice.

A great thought now flashed upon me. I remembered to have seen on the
deck, the day after my arrival, two or three casks, labelled "Dangerous!
Handle very carefully!! Nitro-glycerine!!!" These casks I at once
removed to a safe distance, marking with an upright stick the place
where they were deposited. Nitro-glycerine!--I said to myself. It was
that that blew up the "The European" at Panama. I remember it because I
sold three hundred and nine papers by crying "Great Explosion." A
newsboy knows something. And nitro-glycerine will go off if you hit it
hard enough.

In the captain's room, there were several large, metallic flasks, made
very broad and flat, as I suppose for the purpose of better stowage in
his room. What they had formerly contained, I could only judge by the
smell; but they were empty now. This, then, was the experiment that I
would try,--filling these flasks with nitro-glycerine, I would lower
them into a crevice in the ice. Then, if I could, I must make a block
of ice fall on them.

In two or three hours, my preparations were concluded. The flasks were
just large enough to fit snugly in the chasm. Above them, the precipice
hung over a little. Half-hidden by the bulwarks of the ship, I fired
three bullets from the captain's gun into the projecting mass. Nothing
fell. I loaded her again,--fired again, and a great block of ice keeled
over and slid down. As fast did I leap down stairs into t