"De ghost!" wailed Washington from the huddled up heap he was in.
"Catch him!" yelled the captain.
"I dasn't," moaned Washington.
The next instant the ship quivered from stem to stern. There was a terrible shock, followed by a grinding, crashing sound. Then the craft seemed to be pressed down by some great weight. It heeled over to one side, and the water began to pour down the open man-hole.
"Quick! Clamp on the covers!" shouted Mr. Henderson as he felt the sea dashing into the interior of the boat.
Jack and Mark sprang to obey. It took all their strength, for the water was running in like a mill-race.
"What has happened?" asked Andy, as he tried to climb up the companionway ladder, that was tilted backward.
"I guess we've hit your iceberg!" cried Mr. Henderson.
"I knew I smelled the frozen stuff," replied the old hunter.
They got the covers on the manhole only just in time and they all crowded into the cabin, while Jack switched on the electric lights.