“How yo’ gwine ter do dat?” asked Pomp, in perplexity.
“By means of electric heat,” promptly answered Frank.
“Faix, it’s a puzzle yer givin’ us intoirely,” said Barney.
“I’ll explain. By forming a wire net over the ice and charging it with all the heat we use for the boat, the ice can gradually be melted away enough to let us get through.”
“Such a plan will consume much time,” said Dr. Vaneyke, “but as no better solution of the problem can be advanced, let us try it.”
“By de time we done reach Nordenskjold bay,” said Pomp, “de Red Eric mebbe be gone away.”
“I hope not,” Frank said.
They saw no more of the cyclone that drove them into the pass, and set to work to carry out his idea.
The days were now so short that most of the work was done by moonlight.
Frank’s plan operated, but it took a long time to melt the icy barrier, and deprived of the heat, the interior of the Ranger became cold and cheerless.