The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-09-10


bay" replied the man.
For some time the lads stood and
watched the sailors slide up and down
the rope, until at length Harry cried;
"Come, Dane. let's swing down and go
with the sailors TO see the fun"
''The professor might object and
then there would be row." replied
Dane, obviously. although as much in
clined to see the sport as his friend.
| "Oh, Uncle Dick won't care. We
can't come 10 grief, and he's too busy
talking with the senator TO mind what
we are up to-"
| "All right It's CO." called out
Harry a moment later, as he rejoined
his companion. "Uncle Dicks head Is
buried In the clouds, and he's walking
on air. / don't believe he knew what
l was talking about, but he said we
could CO."
Just before the boat dropped down
the bay a dark figure was seen to slide
swiftly down the rope. and, with
hasty jump, land in the foremost boat.
II was Dane, who, moment later, saw
Harry come flying down behind him
amid the loud hurrahs of the sailors,
and give a quick leap into the nearest
boat, the enc in the rear. But II was
too late for Harry TO rectify his mis-
take, for the first boat had already
swung clear of her moorings, and with
q dip of the oars was skimming lightly
over the water TO the sides of the bay.
A row OF couple of miles brought
20 xgh "
eral immense bodies of ice had
grouped themselves. apparently, into
solid mass. Steering TO good-sized
rock OF ice more free OF dirt and stones
than its fellows, the men cleared off
the upper crust OF snow that covered
It, and then began TO chip Off big,
sparkling blocks, which were quickly
landed in the bottom of the boat. For
some time Dane stood silently watch
ing the men, but presently he grabbed
pickax and set 10 work as hard as
any of the sailors.
Suddenly loud boom sounded in his
ear, followed by n terrible roaring
noise; he heard a sailor give a sharp
cry and looked up just in time to see
huge iceberg that had suddenly
broken from mass of bergs nearby.
bearing down upon them with light
ming like speed. Mortified Dane stared
wildly about him, realizing that in a
seconds time their little boat would
he swamped, laden as she was with
stupendous blocks OF ice.
Another moment and the iceberg
had struck the boat, but simultaneous
ly with the crash of shivering timber
Dane made flying leap and landed in
bed OF snow on top OF the moving
mass. But the bed of snow proved TO
be hard crust of ice, and second
later the boy felt himself slipping off;
his feet were elready touching the
water, when, with quick movement.
he grasped spar OF ice that pro-
truded above his head. With n snap IL
parted In his hand, and Dane felt that
his end had come. With a heart beat
ing like sledge hammer. and his
breath coming IN heavy gasps, he fran
tically attempted TO clutch a Jagged
rift of ice at his side.
Thank Godl This time he succeeded,
for the ice held firm, and then slowly,
step by step, he finally managed TO Sc
cure a firm foothold on the floating
iceberg.
Painting and Shivering. for he had
been deluged with n showery spray
from the overturned boat, he gazed
about him. and perceived he was al.
most imbedded behind huge snow
bank that lowered on top of the fee
berg, completely cutting off his view
of the capsized boat, and the steamer
in the distance beyond.
Frightened by his position, he ut
tered a loud shout, but in the booming
OF the icebcrgs his cry was lost. He
then attempted TO climb TO the top OF
the snowbank, but IL was slippery
. work, and when he finally gained the
top he was miles and miles away from
the steamer, which began TO look like
: a spec in the distance.
Again he called aloud, but there was
no answer; and his iceberg bore stead
. ily on her course toward the oper
/ sea; but he kept on shouting until he
was utterly exhausted. He now be
: gan to realize his peril, for undoubt
. eddy the sailors had failed TO see hil
flying leap, and would report him
/ drowned. so all chance OF rescue from
: the ship would be gone. He would
? swim 10 the shore. but as he glanced
: about him he realized the impossibility
+. OF such a feat, for the iceberg, drift
ing with the tide, not only shot IA
J. out from shore, but he would b,
: knocked scnseless ty the immens,
o bodies OF floating ice In the bay.
= The air. which had been warm ant
balmy, now seemed TO grow sharp and
:. cold, and then the long twilight glow
: faded into the shades Of night. Diml,
e In the distance Dane could discern tn,
d snowy hood OF Mount Pairweathe
}, looming to his right, while on his lief
lay Skidmore island, encircled will
. rows OF floating icerocks, which
y cleaned and sparkled in the noon
rays as she appeared above the hori
d ron.