Page:A Wild-Goose Chase - Balmer - 1915.djvu/152

138, but mingling and forming a slush which spread over the surface.

Margaret was below in her cabin and Linn was getting dinner. McNeal and Michaelis were busy together with the stiffening ropes and freezing gear about the mast. The seven remaining dogs were curled up and sleeping comfortably on the ice-clad deck. The boat from the shore came out, struggling and half swamped in the surf. The three on deck watched the three in the boat silently, with ropes ready to aid them as they came alongside. Days before they had stopped shouting for news of any kind.

The men from shore got aboard, and with great difficulty all six together drew up the light sea boat. Latham stamped on the deck beside McNeal. The moment before his clothes had been soaked; now they were stiffening on him.

"The sea's slush!"

"It won't be long," McNeal returned.

"You mean?"

"It'll be ice. Wait till the wind goes down. Yon slush is the beginning of sea ice."