Part 12 (2/2)

With the a.s.sistance of the man Bob had relieved at the wheel, they soon had the topgallant sails, which had been furled, chock-a-block.

”It will be a narrow squeak,” muttered the captain, as he glanced at the icebergs, whose tops seemed quite close, though the bases were yet some distance from the schooner.

”Is there any hope?” whispered a soft voice in our hero's ear.

”I trust so, Miss Viola,” he answered. ”See! yonder is the end of the ice mountain on the starboard bow.”

”But how close they are!”

”They look closer than they are in reality,” he replied.

All the time he was wondering if their end had really come.

Suppose the wind were to fail!

Fortunately for them, however, caught between the two bergs, it rather increased in force than diminished.

The icy tops seemed now ready to topple down on the deck.

The waves, running up the sides of the bergs, lifted the vessel on their swell as they rebounded.

Fifty yards on either side towered the glittering mountains.

Thirty yards, twenty yards! and the salt spray of the billows, which dashed on the icy cliffs, fell on deck.

Viola's hand was clasped in Bob's, and our hero felt some relief in facing death with her and his mother.

”Call your comrades,” cried Captain Sumner to the sailor. ”Give them a chance for life. Come, Mrs. Cromwell, Viola, Bob, Jack--all of you.

Prepare to jump for the ice, when we strike! It's our only hope!”

Chapter IV.--The Escape From The Icebergs.

To Captain Sumner it looked as if the _Dart_ would surely be crushed.

”Be prepared to jump!” he sang out again.

But even as he spoke a strong gust filled the yacht's topsails.

She plunged forward.

The starboard berg was left behind, and the sea on that bow was open.

Bok instantly s.h.i.+fted the helm.

The _Dart's_ head fell away from the danger on the port bow.

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