Lord Hastings had gauged the distance accurately, and when he again gave the command to come to the surface, the D-17 rose gently, pushing the loosely formed ice to both sides as her nose appeared from the deep. Lord Hastings and his two young officers immediately went on deck again.
“By Jove!” said Frank after a quick glance around. “The ice doesn’t seem to be so thick dead ahead.”
“You see,” said Lord Hastings with a smile, “a little perseverance will go a long ways sometimes. Now, according to your reasoning awhile back, there was really no use in trying to reach this spot. But now that we are here you see still further hope. Remember that there is always a fighting chance, no matter how great the odds against you.”
“I’ll remember, sir,” replied Frank.
“I hope you will. Now we’ll try our luck at forcing a passage through the ice.”
“In what way, sir?” asked Jack.
Lord Hastings’ next words were explanation enough.
“Full speed ahead!” he ordered.
In response to the command, the D-17 dashed straight at the ice ahead. Her sharp, steel nose plowed into it with violence, and the ice, thick though it was, parted and the D-17 edged through as swiftly as could be expected.
“By Jove! I didn’t think she’d do it, sir,” Jack exclaimed.