Numerous icebergs raised their towering heads round the ship, forming such a belt, that on three sides she was completely sheltered from the wind, and only the southeast could blow on her. If one could only suppose rocks instead of icebergs and verdure instead of snow, and the sea in its normal condition, the Forward would have been lying in a pretty sheltered bay. But what desolation reigned around! What a dismal prospect met the gaze!
The first business of the crew was to anchor the brig securely, for, motionless as she was, there might be a sudden break up of the ice-field, or some submarine current might affect it. The sails were not taken down, but closely furled, and before long the ice had encased them completely. Only the running rigging was removed.
The pressure of the ice was so great, that it became necessary to cut it away all round the ship. The packs had accumulated on her sides, and weighed her down beyond her usual floating line. It was a tedious, difficult progress, occupying several days; but when at length the keel was released, the brig rose at once nine inches. Hatteras thought it advisable to take the opportunity of examining it thoroughly, while it was exposed. Thanks to the solidity of its construction, it was found to be quite uninjured, though the copper sheathing was almost entirely torn off.
The next business was to slope away the ice right along the hull, following the outline of the ship. By doing this, the ice-field united again under the keel and prevented all further pressure.
The Doctor lent a helping hand in all these operations, infecting the men with his own good-humor, and getting and giving information. He heartily approved of this adjustment of the ship, and thought it an excellent precaution.
"There is no other way of resisting the pressure, sir," said Johnson; "now we can build a wall of snow all round as high as the gunwale, and make it ten feet thick, if we like, for we have no lack of material.
"Capital!" said Dr. Clawbonny; "for snow is a non-conductor of caloric. It reflects instead of absorbs, and will prevent the internal heat from escaping."
"Yes, sir, and we not only fortify ourselves against the cold, but against four-footed enemies, should they take a
