Having brought the ship to a pause, Frank went up the masts and examined the gyroscope pivots.
It was utterly impossible to keep them clear of the ice without resorting to some artificial means of keeping the spars warm.
This he explained to his friends on his return.
Various plans were suggested until at length Frank thought of running platinum wires into all the hollow tubes and connecting them with the electric heating apparatus in the engine-room.
To carry out this would require time, and as they had plenty of it to spare, they began to try the experiment.
The following day had dawned before the wires were arranged according to Frank’s plans, and the snow-storm had stopped.
When the current was turned into them, the ice soon began to melt on the spars and the gyroscopes spun freely.
The experiment was a perfect success.
“We can go up in the sky without fear now,” said Frank, smilingly, as they sat down to breakfast.
“Suppose we run for the Norwegian fishing station and consult its inhabitants about the Red Eric?” asked Vaneyke.