The crew were all on deck, and the weather was fine and tolerably clear, for the snow had ceased to fall. Hatteras stood on the poop with Shandon and the Doctor, counting the minutes by his chronometer.
At thirty-five minutes to eight a dull explosion was heard, far less astounding than might have been expected. The outline of the mountains suddenly changed as in an earth- quake, a thick white smoke rose towards the sky, and long crevasses striped the sides of the iceberg, the summit of which seemed hurled from a distance, and fell in shattered fragments round the Forward.
But the pass was not yet open Enormous blocks of ice remained suspended in the air, propped up by the adjacent mountains, and their fall would only block up the basin still further
Hatteras took in the situation at a glance, and calling to the gunner, desired him to triple load the cannon.
"What are we going to attack the mountain with cannon-balls?" asked the Doctor.
"Not exactly," said Hatteras, that would be useless. No ball, Wolsten, but only a triple charge of powder. Be quick!"
All was ready in a few minutes.
"What will he do without ball?" muttered Shandon.
"We'll see," said the Doctor.
But the brig was too far from the iceberg, and Hatteras ordered the engineer to put the screw in motion A few turns was sufficient, and the command was given—Fire! A considerable explosion followed, which caused such an atmospheric commotion that the blocks were suddenly precipitated into the sea.
"Put on all steam possible, Brunton!" shouted the captain; "and get right out, Johnson, into the pass?"
Johnson seized the helm, the Forward dashed through the foaming waves, and next minute was free It was a sharp run for her, and she had scarcely cleared the opening before the prison closed again behind her.
It was a moment of intense excitement, and there was but one heart on board that beat quietly. This was the captain's, and the crew, unable to restrain their feelings of admiration for him, burst out into cheers, and shouted, "Hurrah for John Hatteras!"
