Every blow that struck her gave back a metallic ring and the clattering clash of the ice breaking.
Barney now observed some vast ice hills off to the northwest about a league, and pointing at them, he said:
“Faith, it’s pertection we’d be afther havin’ if we wor ter get undher shelter av thim cliffs, sor.”
“Steer for them,” said Frank.
“But we’se gwine ter lose ground if we does.”
“Never mind, Pomp; we’re losing, anyway.”
“Begorra! we’re in a bad fix entoirely!”
“By heading for those cliffs we’ll have a free wind,” said Vaneyke.
“Good! You are right,” cried Frank. “That will increase our speed.”
Around spun the wheel which had been geared to the ice rudder, and as the boat swung off on the new tick, Frank and the coon hastened out, and slackened off the braces.