t right through one of the
quarter boats. The ship, as if aware of her danger, flew on. Downwards
came the vast mountain of ice with a crashing roar, louder than any
thunder, directly on the spot where she had just before floated, sending
the spray in thick sheets flying over her poop. Had she remained a
moment longer she must have been overwhelmed. Many a cheek of the hardy
crew was blanched with horror. Even now it seemed that they had
scarcely escaped the fearful danger, for the berg astern of them rocked
to and fro as if still intent on their destruction. The first mate and
one of the best hands were at the helm; the wind whistled loudly, the
sails appeared as if about to fly from the bolt ropes, as the ship
heeled over to the gale. Numerous other bergs appeared ahead, and as
she rushed onwards, it seemed impossible that she could avoid them. No
sooner was one weathered than another appeared in her course. The yards
were braced sharp up. She dashed by a huge berg, her masts, as she
heeled over, almost touching its sides. Now an opening appeared between
two large ice mountains. The only way to escape was by passing between
them. The ship dashed into the passage, now she glided onward in
comparatively smooth water. The bergs were moving. Nearer and nearer
they drew to each other. In a short time they might meet and crush the
hapless vessel into a thousand fragments. To escape by the way she had
entered the passage was impossible. The wind came aft. The yards were
squared, more sail was set, faster and faster she flew onwards, yet fast
as she went, it seemed as if the masses of ice would catch her ere she
could escape them in their deadly embrace. Every man and boy was at his
station, ready to clew up and haul down directly the ship should be
free, and again exposed to the fury of the gale. No one could tell but
that other bergs might be ahead, or in what direction it might be
necessary to steer. Archy, as he held on to a rope he had been ordered
to tend, looked up at the vast ice-cliffs with horror in his eyes,
expecting every moment to see them falling over upon the ship. He
glanced aft, and saw the captain standing calm and undismayed, ready to
issue whatever orders might be necessary. The channel seemed
interminable, for, fast as the vessel glided on, still those terrible
cliffs frowned down upon her. At length the open water appeared ahead,
with fewer bergs than had before been seen floating