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Updated: June 2, 2025
There were their hearts made glad by the sight of a ship at anchor inshore, Seagriff still further rejoicing on recognising it as a sealing vessel, the very one on which, years before, he had cruised while chasing the fur-coated amphibia through the waters of Fireland.
They have no trouble in making their course, as the sky is clear, and Sarmiento an all-sufficient guide-post always visible. But although neither Captain Gancy nor Seagriff has any anxiety as to the course, both seem anxious about something, all the while scanning the water ahead the skipper through his glass, the old sealer with hand shading his eyes.
"Merciful Heaven!" he exclaims, despondingly, as he extends a sheltering arm over the heads of his dear ones. "Is it thus to end? Are we to be stoned to death?" "Yonder's a Heaven's marcy, I do believe!" says Seagriff on the instant, "comin' to our help 'roun' Burnt Island. Thet'll bring a change, sure!"
It is running the gauntlet, with apparently a very poor chance of running it safely. The failure of an oar-stroke, a retarding whiff of wind, may bring death to those in the gig, or capture, which is the same. Yet they see life beyond, if they can but reach it, life in a breeze, the "sough" on the water, of which Seagriff spoke. It is scarcely two cables' length ahead. Oh, that it were but one!
To show distrust might give offence, and court attack no trifling matter, notwithstanding the age and apparent imbecility of the savages. Seagriff knows, if the others do not, that the oldest and feeblest of them woman or man would prove a formidable antagonist; and, against so many, he and his four men companions would stand but a poor chance.
Not without apprehension, however, do they await the result, as the old sealer's words and manner indicate plainly that something is amiss. And their waiting is for a short while only. Almost on the instant of getting the glacier within his field of view, Seagriff cries out, "Jest as I surspected! The end o' the ice air fur out from the rock, ten or fifteen fathoms, I should say!"
They do look out, or rather up, and with no little alarm. But the cause of it none can as yet tell. But they see Seagriff spring to one side of the gorge and catch hold of a rock to steady himself, while he shouts to them to do the same.
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