They pulled the imperiled Irishman up to the deck, and he heaved a great sigh of relief when he had a firm footing once more.
Shaking off the broken backstay that saved him, he exclaimed:
“Faith, I’d rather froze ter death up here than doy be fallin’ into ther say!”
“There really isn’t much choice in the matter,” said Frank; “for we are going down anyway. Hey, Dr. Vaneyke!”
“Well?” asked the old scientist.
“Put every volt of force into the stern screw.”
“What for?”
“To try and reach land, sir.”
The professor pulled the screw lever over, and with increased speed the flying ice ship darted through the snowflakes to the eastward.
Vaneyke had got his bearings before the blinding storm began, and although the Ranger was swiftly descending, she kept going to the landward at terrific velocity.