Captain Talbot's anxiety was now at its greatest, for there was water on the starboard side of the ship and the berg or floe on which she lay.
Ropes were therefore attached to her masts, and all hands upon the ice bent on to these, pulling slowly with a long pull and a strong pull.
For more than an hour they made no impression on the vessel, and it was evident the cargo had shifted somewhat.
Talbot gave the steward an order to splice the mainbrace.
He countermanded this almost immediately after, however, for it was now evident the vessel was doing her best to get righted.
"Pull now, lads! Pull steadily all! Heave-oh and she comes!"
Every hand is laid on the ropes; every nerve is braced, and the veins start on the men's perspiring foreheads as they keep up the strain.
Viking barks as if to encourage them.
It is all the poor dog can do.
"Heave and she goes! Heave and she rips! Hurrah! lads, hurrah!"