“Is the Number Two cutter in good condition?�
“Yes, sir.�
“Very well. You will take a crew of six and report to Mr. Ready, here, for his orders.�
The man saluted and hurried off. Before long the crew and the cutter were ready. In the meantime the explosives Jack wanted were brought on deck and then loaded in the boat. This done, Jack vanished into his cabin and emerged before long carrying a coil of copper wire and several powerful batteries.
“Now, if I could have two extra oars,� he said, briskly addressing Commander Simms, who had gazed on the preparations with interest but had asked no questions.
“All right, my boy. I’ve no idea what you want them for but you shall have them. Coxswain, get two more oars.�
“Yes, sir.�
At last all was ready, and the boat shot away from the side of the cutter. The six brawny jackies making up the crew pulled for the berg with quick, strong strokes. This trip was a welcome diversion from the monotony of the iceberg patrol duty. They made good time over the water, and soon the berg was reached.
A close view showed that a sort of valley bisected it between the towering steeples of ice that rose at each end. It was an easy matter to scramble up on the low-lying ledges of the edge of the berg. Half the party landed, while those remaining in the boat handed up the explosives and other apparatus to them. At last everything was ready. Jack ordered the men still remaining in the boat on to the berg.
They obeyed with alacrity, all eagerness to know what was coming next. Among the supplies brought were six crowbars, for the ice-patrol craft carried every kind of tool for dealing with ice.