The ice ship was plunging with fearful velocity straight at the wall that rose to an immense height in front of her.
It seemed for a moment to Barney that she must run her long bowsprit against the hard wall.
Such a collision would probably smash her to pieces.
He rapidly lowered the side wheels.
Putting on the current, he reversed the wheels, and they tore through the ice with a terrific ripping sound.
The boat did not pause at once.
She slid along a considerable distance, her wheels ripping up the ice and sending it flying in two streams on each side of her.
Barney was frightened.
Then came a bang as the bowsprit struck.
But the shock was not heavy enough to break it.