Archibald Hughson, the Young Shetlander | Page 9

side by a wall of ice. The boats would then be lowered to tow the ship
along, or, should the wind be favourable, the sails were set, and in spite
of the blows she might receive from the floating fragments, she would
force her way onwards towards the open water.
Often and often as Archy watched what was taking place, he fully
expected to find the ship crushed to fragments, and wondered that
Captain Irvine could venture into so fearfully dangerous a position.
Still the ship, escaping all dangers, made her way to the north, and by
degrees Archy grew accustomed to the scenes he witnessed, and
viewed them with the same indifference as the rest of the crew.
For a whole day she had made her way through open water, with a
strong breeze. The weather began to lour--the wind blew stronger and
stronger--numerous icebergs appeared ahead--in a short time the ship
was surrounded by them. Now one was passed by, now another. It
seemed often as if no power could save her from being dashed against
their precipitous sides. Perhaps the captain expected the gale to
moderate, if so, he was mistaken. It soon blew fiercer than ever. At
length the ship got under the lee of a large berg, which towered up a
hundred feet or more above the mast-heads. The sails were furled--the
boats carried out ice anchors and made them fast to the foot of the berg.
There the ship rode, sheltered from the gale, in smooth water, while the
wind howled and roared, and the sea, hissing and foaming, dashed with
fury against the bergs, which were observed at a distance on either side.

Archy recollected the account Max had given him some time before of
icebergs suddenly overturning, and as he looked up at the frozen
mountain above him, he could not help thinking what their fate might
be, should the gale, which blew on the other side, force the berg over.
Still he had not learned to put his trust in God. Fear made his heart sink
within him, but he dared not contemplate the future. All he could say to
himself was, "I hope it will not. How dreadful it would be. What would
become of us!" He had no one to whom he could go for consolation.
Max, he knew, would only laugh at him and call him a coward. He
wished that Old Andrew would speak to him, but he was on duty on
deck, and had the ship to attend to.
Several hours passed by, still the gale did not abate. Archy thought the
captain and officers looked more serious than usual. Several of them
turned their eyes ever and anon towards the summit of the berg. At
length the chief mate came forward. He had just reached the forecastle,
when a small piece of ice, the size of a bullet it seemed, fell splashing
into the water just ahead of the ship. Another and another followed.
With a startling cry, the captain shouted, "Cut the hawser, loose the jib
and fore-staysail, hands aloft for your lives lads." The head sails were
hoisted, the fore-topsail sheeted home. The ship, coming round, shot
away from the berg. The after sails were speedily loosed. In another
instant, with a crashing thundering noise, down came vast masses of ice,
falling into the water, with loud splashes, close astern, while numerous
smaller pieces fell with fearful force on deck. Happily no one was
struck, but a piece went 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,