NEW DANGERS, • 207 
and what seemed inevitable is instantly averted, the 
mass slews round, and we glide into smooth water, 
the vessel is laid-to, and a short respite gives our men 
the sorely-needed rest they require before all hands are 
called upon once more to face new dangers. This time 
our difficulty comes from the water, which, rushing 
like a mill-race round the point-ends of ice, gurgles 
and foams with frantic haste to get past the obstacle. 
This time the water wins. Our ship misses stays ; 
she no longer works with that cool indifference we 
had but recently been applauding. Something is 
evidently wrong with her, and we are not long in 
doubt. A piece of her keel becoming detached, has 
got across her bows, and impedes her efforts. We strive 
all we can to remove the impediment, without success. 
A rope is lowered, with a noose and slip-knot, in the 
hope of jerking off the broken timber, firmly held by an 
iron bolt. We are perplexed to understand the extent 
of our injury, and the success of this attempt may 
only make matters worse by breaking away more 
than would be desirable. On we go, bumping now 
without the power to direct the schooner towards the 
blows we are receiving, and once more we are slewed 
round by the forces we can no longer contend against. 
At this moment a deceitful tongue of ice projects from 
the field for some distance beneath the surface, and 
