The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-27
the hollow soundor washing water. liftet
nv hand and listened.

the hollow soundor washing water. lifted
my hand and listened
"Tis the swell Of the sea flowing into the
opcning" exclaimed
That MEANS said Tassard, shat this side
of the block is dislocated from the niain.n
"Yes,r cried l.: land il the powder ahead
of the bows has done its work, the Eeave Of
the ocean will do the rest.
We made our way on to the forensic over
a deep bed OF splin:ers of ice, lying like
wood sllavings upon the deck: and | took
notice rs walked that every glorious crystal
pendant that had before adorned t. Yards,
rigging and spars had been shaker OK. |
had expected to see n wonderful spc le OF
havoc in the ice where the barrels OF gun
powder had been poised: but saving many
scores OF cracks where none was before, and
vast ragged gashes in the mouths Of the
crevices down which the barrels had been
lowered, the scene was much as heretofore
The Fronchman stared, and exclaimed,
"What has the powder done! see only
few cracks"
What it may have done don't know
| answered; but depend ON it such heavy
charges of powder must have burst to some
purpose The dislocation will b. below, and
so much the better, for It's there the Ice must
come asunder if this block is to so free"
He gazed about him, and then rapping out
"a string of oaths-English, Italian, and
French, for he swore in all the languages he
spoke, which, he once told me, were hve-he
declared that for his part he considered the
powder wasted, that we'd have done as we'll
to fling a hand grenade into flssure; that
thousand barrels Of powder would be but aS
popgun for rending the sehooner's bed from
the main: and, in short. with several insult
ing looks and face black with rage and dis
appointment, gave me very plainly 10 know
that had not only played the fool myself,
but had made u fool of him. and that he was
heartily sorry he had ever given himself any
trouble 10 contriye the cursed mine or 10 as
sist me in a ridiculous project that might
have resulted in blowing the schooner 10
pieces and ourselves with it,
glanced at him with sheer, hu. took no
further notice of his insoence. Il was not
only that he was so contemplate m all re-
spects-a liar, rogue a thief, poitrcon,
hoary in twenty walks OF vice-there was
something SO unearthly about n creature that
had been as good rs dead for eight and forty
years that it was impossible anything he
could say could affect me as the IancOrous
tongue of another man would. feared and
hated him. because knew that in intent he
was already my assassin; but the mere In
science Of SO incredible a. creature could not
but find me imperturbahle.
There is nothing TO be seen by soaring"
he exclaimed presently, speaking very sui
lenly. II am hungry and freezing. and shall
go belowm And with that he turned his back
and made off, growing in his throat as he
went
got upon the ice AMI stepped very care
fully TO the starboard side, and looked down
the vast split there. The sea in consequence
Of the slope did not come so far but | could
hear the wash Of tie water very plain II
was certain that the valley in which We lay
was wholly disconnected from the main ice
on this side. passed to the larboart quar-
ter, and here too were cracks wide and deep
enough TO satisfy me that It's hold was weak.
Ii was forward of the bows, where the barrels
had been exploded, that the ice was thickest
and had the firmest grasp; but its surface was
violently and heavily cracked 10y the ex-
plosions, and thought 10 myself if the fis-
sures below are as numerous, then certainly
the swell of the sea ought to fetch the whole
mass away. But was now half frozen my
self and pining for warmth 1t was after
O'Clock The wind was piping freshly, and
the great heavy clouds in swarms drove
stately across the sky
at may blow tonight" thought |, 'and if
the wind hangs rs it is just such u sea AS
may do our business will be set running.
And thus musng, | entered the ship and
went below.