254 DREADFUL COMMOTION. [CHAP.V. 



all was still and apparently ended, suddenly the 

 vast bodies in contact with, and immediately sur- 

 rounding the ship, were in fearful agitation, rising 

 up in grinding conflict, piece thrown over piece 

 until the ponderous walls tumbled over, and the 

 whole accompanied with a screeching and howling 

 and whining which was absolutely hideous : such 

 was the violence of the pressure that the ship 

 was lifted up abaft, and both hull and rigging 

 trembled violently. Another pause ensued ; 

 the stars shone brightly ; a faint gleam of aurora 

 was playing near the zenith, and so beautiful 

 and hushed was every thing, that nature seemed, 

 as it were, in a trance. But scarcely had the idea 

 flitted across the mind, when the war burst out 

 again with more fury than ever, and huge frag- 

 ments and masses seemed to be rolling down upon 

 us with an impetuosity that threatened immediate 

 destruction. Repose was impossible : many 

 started from their beds, preferring, though they 

 could do nothing, rather to see than merely 

 hear the danger. The current rushed irre- 

 sistibly to the stern ; and, taking the hull fore 

 and aft, forced a complete stream of broken 

 ice under the bottom, lifting the after part still 

 higher up than before. While the first Lieu- 

 tenant was below with the carpenter and his 

 crew, anxiously observing the beams and decks 

 as the heavy strain came upon them, to see which 



14 



