Part 30 (1/2)

With these in their hands, using them much as a seal does his tusks, they managed to scramble up the slippery incline. Soon they found themselves able to enter the cave the boys, Bill, Tom and Dirola had made, through the opening from which they had tumbled.

”Good-bye,” called Dirola to them, as they pa.s.sed out of her sight.

”Good-bye,” all called back softly, from the roof of the cavern. It was the last they were to see of their kind friend.

Outside of the little cave they found a native waiting with a large sled, to which twenty dogs were hitched. The Esquimaux seemed to be watching for them, for he made a sign that they were to get on a sled.

No time was lost. Dirola had evidently made her plans well and in haste.

The dog driver looked to see that his charges were safe, and then cracked his long whip.

Off went the sled at a swift pace, the animals tugging at their harness. Not a native was in sight save the one driving the sled. They were all probably at the feast Dirola had prepared in celebration of her home-coming.

”This is the first sled ride we've had when we were not tied on like so much cordwood,” observed Andy. ”Now we have a chance to observe the scenery.”

Faster and faster went the sled. It was a calm clear cold day--or it might have been night as far as time went, but the sun shone from a blue sky. It was very cold, and the heavy furs made the adventurers none too warm.

Suddenly, as the party sped on, there came a loud explosion. It was like a great cannon being fired.

”What was that?” exclaimed Andy, starting in alarm.

With a cry of fear the dog driver pointed behind him.

Looking over their shoulders, the escaping ones saw a great crack in the ice field. In it showed the black waters of the ocean. Ahead appeared an ever-widening black line, and on either side it was the same.

A large part of the ice field had become detached and was floating out to sea. Though they did not know it, the adventurers had driven over the water and away from the land.

”We are adrift on the ice!” cried Andy. ”We only escaped from one danger to fall into another!”

CHAPTER XXVI

FIGHTING WILD DOGS

For a moment the realization of their horrible position struck all dumb.

Adrift on the great polar sea, they might freeze to death before they again got near to the main land. The dogs continued to run on, approaching nearer the ever-widening crack in front. The driver seemed to suddenly awaken to the danger.

With a series of sharp commands he brought the team to a halt. Then, signing to the adventurers to get off the sled, he turned it over on the side.

Next he unhitched the dogs, and fastened them by their thongs to his whip handle, which he stuck in a crack in the ice. The beasts were thus secured at some distance from the sled.

This done, the Esquimaux took the fur robes that had been on the sleigh, and, spreading them over the frame of the vehicle, made a low but fairly large and comfortable tent. He motioned for the men and boys to crawl inside, which they were glad enough to do, to escape the bitter wind.

Then the native sat down in the low doorway of the shelter and seemed willing to wait for whatever turned up.

”It doesn't seem to worry him much,” observed Andy.

”He certainly has made us comfortable,” said Jack. ”I wonder what we are going to do?”

”Wait and see what turns up,” advised the professor. ”We are on a large ice floe. It may float for many days, and, after a while, strike the main ice again. When it does we will escape.”

”Yes, an' what am we goin' to eat in dat time?” demanded Was.h.i.+ngton.