“Maybe not; but we’ll try. Come on, fellows, let’s put it up to the captain right away and get it over with.”
Jimmy’s prediction pretty nearly came true, for at first Captain Springer was very reluctant to let them go. But Bob urged so earnestly and yet respectfully, and the captain had so high an idea of the courage and common sense of the boys, that, at least, he was open to argument. At length, ably seconded by his friends, Bob won the captain over to his point of view, and it was settled that they should be included in the landing party.
This settled, the boys set themselves to await, with what patience they could, until they should reach the iceberg.
The Meteor held a fast pace all night, and shortly after daybreak of the following day the lookout in the crow’s nest sighted the wandering berg. It was a big one; in fact, one of the largest they had ever had to handle, one of the crew told Bob. It would be no easy task to break it up, and the boys were assured of plenty of excitement while the attempt was in progress.
Immediately after breakfast a boat was lowered, and the crew, including Bob and Joe and Herb, took their places at the oars. In the stern were two cans of TNT, each about as large as an ordinary nail keg. There was enough high explosive in each one to tear the Meteor to shreds had it gone off, and, as can be imagined, the cans were carefully handled.
In a few minutes all was in readiness, and the second officer, Mr. Mayhew, who was in charge of the boat, gave the command to shove off. The crew gave way with a will, and the boat dashed off toward the iceberg.
CHAPTER XVII
RENDING THE GIANT BERG ASUNDER
“Isn’t it a monster?” said Bob, with something like awe in his voice.
“Must be the Jumbo of icebergs,” conceded Joe.
“Hate to have it take a notion to fall over on us,” murmured Herb.