"She is coming, boys! Heave-oh, again! Another pull does it! Easy! Slack off! Hurrah!"
A wild cheer rent the air as the brave and sturdy barque slid downwards off the floe and took the water like a duck or a penguin.
The men and officers paused now to wipe their faces.
Then all hands got on board and manned the pumps.
No, she was safe. Not a drop of extra water had she made, or was making.
What a relief!
The sun was already sinking low on the horizon, and his last beams lit up the great snow plain 'twixt the ship and sky, as if a canal of crimson blood was there.
Talbot was happy now. The recovery of the ship from her serious position was like a good omen, so, as soon as everything was got on board, he thought it high time to splice the main-brace.
And so did the men also.
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