Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-05-06
ICE BOUND!
By W. CLARK RUSSELL.
Asiaor Of "TAs Wreck ofAe 6rosreHOr." Jacks
C0art&hip," "lfy Bafeh Be!Osg,"
"IRs Lady Maud" Ec.
CONTINUED

i
looked first over the starbosrd side,
and saw the great split that had happened
in the night torn in places into immense
yawns and CULTS by the fab OF vast masses
of rock out of its sides, but what most de-
lighted me was the hollow sound Of wash
ing water. lifted nay hand and listened.
'"Tis the swell of the sea flowing into
the openiugw exclaimed.
That MEANS" said Tassard, that this
side of the block is disloeated from the
main"
Yes" cried 1; and if the powder
ahead of the bows has done its work, the
heaye Of the ocean will do the rest"
We made our way on the fCrecsstle over
a deep bed of splinters of ice, lying like
wood shaviugs upon the deck; and l took
notice as l walked that every glorious
crystal pendant that had before adorned
the yards, rigging and spars had been
shaken of. l had expected TO see a won
derful spectacle of havoc in the ice where
the barrels of gunpowder had been poised
but saving many scores of cracks where
none was before, and vast ragged gashes 10
the mouths of the creviees down which the
barrels had been lowered, the scene was
much "a heretofore.
The Frenehman started, and exclaimed,
"Whst has the powder done? l see only
few cracks"
'What il may have done Idon't know, F"
answered; ''but depend on it such heavy
charges of powder must have burst to some
purpose. The dislOCation will be below,
and so much the better, for 'tis there the
ice must come ssunder If this block Is TO
90 free"
He gazed about him. and then rapping
out q string of oaths-Engiish, Italian, and
French, for he swore in all the languages
he spoke, which, be once told me, were
fve-he declared that for his part he con-
sidered the powder wasted, that we'd have
done as well to fling hand grenade into q
assure; that thousand barrels Of powder
would be but as a popgun for rending the
schOoner's bed from the main; and, IN
short, with several insulting looks and
face black with rage and disappointment,
gave me very plainly to know that | had
not only played the fool myself, but hao
made a fool of him, and that he wa;
heartily sorry he had ever given himself
any trouble to contrive the cursed mines OF
TO assist me il ridiculous project thai
might have resulted in blown g the
schooner to pieces and ourselves with it,
glanced at him with o sneer, but took
no further notice of his insolence. 1t was
not only that he was so contemplate II
all respects-a liar, q rogue, thief,
poltroon, hoary in twenty walks Of vice
there WAS something so unearthly about
creature that had been as good as dead FOL
.Gfssssiht ' anu r6rTt- yeafs~ that 1t was I'm,
possible anything be could say cOIsld 2fiseS
me as the rancOrous tongue of another man
would. / feared and hated him, because l
knew that in intent he was already my
assassin; but the mere insolence of 80 in
credible creature could not but lind me
imperturbable.
There is nothing to be seen by staring"
he exclaimed presently speaking very sui
lenly. al am hungry and freezing, and
shall 90 belOww Aud with that he turn
ed his back and made of, growing in his
throat "a he went.
i got upon tue Ice anu Sttppcu Nciy CsAlC-
fully to the starboard side, and locked
down the vast split there. The sea in
consequence of the slope din not come so
far, but could hear the wash of the 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 larbOard quarter, and here too were
cracks wide and deep enough to satisfy
me that its hold was weak. 1t was for
ward of the bows, where the barrels had
been exploded, that the Ice was the thick
est and had the firmest grasp; but its sur
face was violently and heavily cracked by
the explosions, and thought to myself if
the assures below are as numerous, then
certainly the swell of the seaought to fetch
the whole mass away. But | WAS now
half frozen myself and piniDg for warmth.
It was after l o'clock. The wind WAS
piping freshly, and the great heavy clouds
10 swarms drove stately across the sky.
1T may blow tonight" thought |,
"and if the wind hangs rs il il just such a
sea "a may do our business will beset run
niugn Aud thus musing, | entered the
ship and went below.