"Isn't it?" burst out Tom. "Why not?"
"Because it isn't."
"Of course dot is der vay," cried Hans. "Der shore vos ofer dare."
"Yes, the other shore. But not the one we left and the one we want to get back to."
A long discussion followed, and it was soon realized that either Tom and Hans, or else the others, were sadly mixed up. "The majority rules," said Frank. "So let us go this way."
"All right, I will," grumbled Tom. "But I still think you are wrong."
"And I vos sure of him," added Hans.
However, they took hold willingly enough, and soon the whole party were moving slowly through the snowstorm, shoving the Fiver in front of them. The snow had now become blinding, and absolutely nothing was to be seen around them.
A half hour had passed, and they were wondering why the shore did not appear, when suddenly Dick uttered a warning cry.
"Look out! We are going into the open water! Back all of you!"