“I wish you’d brace your legs when you do that,â€� remarked Jack. “If there was a sudden lurch or anything you’d go right overboard, and nothing could save you. I’ve spoken to you a dozen times about it and——â€�
“I know you have, you croaking old land-lubber,� laughed Raynor, “it’s alright. As for danger, if you could see me lying in the crank-pit, with the big steel throws smashing round within half an inch of my nose I guess you’d be worried then.�
“No, I wouldn’t, because that’s your business and you know what you’re doing,� responded Jack, “but balancing like that’s just pure foolhardiness.�
“So there’s ice ahead?� said Raynor, ignoring Jack’s protest.
“That’s the report. They’re testing the temperature of the water on the bridge. It’s falling all the time.�
“Well, what does that amiable maniac Briggs think he’s going to do, knock a berg out of his way if he hits it?�
“No; he figures in his muddled brain that by keeping up full speed he can pass to the south of the path of the bergs. In other words, he’s racing them.�
“And if he loses the race there’ll be a most almighty smash-up.�
“That’s it. I—— What in the name of time is that?â€�
Jack broke off in an alarmed voice. Hoarsely, through the night, had come the frightened cry of the man in the crow’s nest.