Page:Furcountryorseve00vernrich.djvu/333

 A NIGHT ENCAMPMENT, I95 at any moment settle down in consequence of a change in its speci- fic gravity, or break up into more or less numerous islets, the duration of which must necessarily be ephemeral. He judged, therefore, that it would be best for the members of the colony to keep together as much as possible, and not to leave the fort, that they might all share the same chances. Hobson was proceeding further to unfold his views when cries for help were heard. Mrs Barnett started to her feet, and both looked round in every direction, but nothing was to be seen. The cries were now redoubled, and Hobson exclaimed — "The Sergeant ! the Sergeant!" And followed by Mrs Barnett, he rushed towards the burrow, and he had scarcely reached the opening of the snow-house before he saw Sergeant Long clutching with both hands at his knife, which he had stuck in the wall of ice, and calling out loudly, although with the most perfect self-possession. His head and arms alone were visible. Whilst he was digging, the ice had given way suddenly beneath him, and he was plunged into water up to his waist. Hobson merely said — " Keep hold ! " And creeping through the passage, he was soon at the edge of the hole. The poor Sergeant seized his hand, and he was soon rescued from his perilous position. " Good God ! Sergeant ! " exclaimed Mrs Barnett ; " what has happened ? " "Nothing," replied Long, shaking himself like a wet spaniel, " except that the ice gave way under me, and I took a compulsory bath." " You forgot what I told you about not digging too deeply, then,' said Hobson. " Beg pardon, sir ; I hadn't cut through fifteen inches of the ice ; and I expect there was a kind of cavern where I was working — the ice did not touch the water. It was just like going through a ceiling. If I hadn't been able to hang on by my knife, I should have slipped under the island like a fool, and that would have been a pity, wouldn't it, madam ? " " A very great pity, my brave fellow/' said Mrs Barnett, pressing his hand.