“Our fortune,” was Captain Bertram’s mysterious reply.
CHAPTER XXXI.
A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
“Our fortune?” repeated Will, in vague wonderment.
“Yes, Will,” replied Alan, looking around to see that they were not observed. “That cask contains valuable property. No matter what just now. I brought it from the ship to here, heavy as it is, and it has been a source of mystery to the crew all along. I had reasons for not telling them its contents, but if we succeed in getting it safely home we will be rich, and they shall not be forgotten. Some one is coming,” and the appearance of a sailor interrupted the conversation.
The barrel was conveyed to the ship, and Captain Bertram, having some business to discuss with the captain of the ship, Will decided to return to the settlement.
He did not go as they had come, by land, but in an adventurous spirit set out to cross on the ice, which was broken up and already floating.
Leaping from cake to cake, he enjoyed the sport until he found himself on a large piece which, when he came to leave it, had floated several feet from any other piece.
“It will float against some of them again,” he murmured, but to his consternation he observed that the entire mass was floating rapidly seawards.
He had reason for apprehension now, for he was fast getting in open water.