It was a most alarming spectacle. Through a partial opening in the fog, the Devil's Thumb seemed quite close to the ship; its size increased to colossal magnitude, and on the summit a second cone appeared, point downwards, as if pivoted on the first, oscillating to and fro, and apparently about to fall on the brig and crush her beneath its enormous weight. Instinctively, everyone drew back, and several of the sailors jumped down on the ice and left the ship.
"Every man to his post," shouted Shandon, in stern tones. "No one is to leave the ship."
"Don't be afraid, my friends," said the Doctor. "There is no danger. It is simply the effect of the mirage, Mr. Shandon and Mr. Wall."
"You are right, Mr. Clawbonny," said Johnson. "These silly fellows are terrified at a shadow!"
Most of the sailors came back at the Doctor's reassuring words, and fear gave place to admiration, as they stood gazing at the marvellous phenomenon, which only lasted a few minutes longer.
"They call that a mirage," said Clifton, "but take my word for it, some fiend has to do with it."
"That's sure and certain," said Gripper. But the rift in the fog had revealed to Shandon's eyes a favorable lead, and he determined to profit by it without delay.. He placed the men on each side of the opening. The hawsers were thrown out to them, and the work of tracking commenced.
They went on for many long hours, and Shandon had the furnaces lighted to use all available means of getting rapidly on.
"It is a providential chance," he said to Johnson, "and if we can only make a few miles farther, we may be out of difficulties. The men are in a mind to work, for they are glad to get clear of the Devil's Thumb, so we will take advantage of their mood as long as it lasts."
All of a sudden the brig ceased moving.
"What's wrong, Wall?" asked Shandon. "Any of the ropes broken?"
"No, sir," said Wall, looking over the side, "bu the sailors are all running helter-skelter towards the ship, and here some of them are climbing up the side as if they were out of their wits with fright."
