“We’ve got to,” Bob returned, a look of determination in his face. “We’ll do it if his cake holds out long enough,” he encouraged, as with a strong push he sent the canoe forward through a narrow lane between two large cakes.
Now the open spaces were larger and they were able to make better time. They were nearly half way to the man and urging the canoe between two immense floes when suddenly Jack realized that the cakes were rapidly approaching each other.
“Dig for all you’re worth or we won’t get through,” he shouted.
They did their best but it was not enough. Realizing that they could not make it, Jack stopped paddling and shouted:
“We’ll have to jump for it.”
Bob quickly took in the situation and, throwing his paddle to the bottom of the canoe, he too watched the huge floe as it approached. They saw that the cake to their right would reach the boat first.
“Make it snappy,” Bob shouted, as the cake was upon them.
With hands gripping the side of the canoe they crouched, waiting for the cake of ice to reach them.
“Now!” Bob shouted, and on the instant both sprang for the ice, then turned and dragged the canoe after them.
They were not a moment too soon for, as they drew the canoe from the water, the two floes met with a grinding crash.