Ледяной сфинкс

Chapter XX. “Unmerciful Disaster“

           Whatafrightfulscene,and,shortasitmayhavebeen,whatanimpressionofterroritleftonourminds!

           Oneoftheenormousblockswhichformedthebankofthemud-bedwheretheHalbranelay,havingbecomelooseowingtothemeltingofitsbase,hadslippedandwasboundingovertheothersdowntheincline.

           Inanothermoment,theschooner,beingnolongerretainedinposition,wasswingingonthisdeclivity.

           Onboard,ondeck,infront,thereweretwosailors,RogersandGratian.Invaindidtheunfortunatementrytojumpoverthebulwarks,theyhadnottime,andtheyweredraggedawayinthisdreadfulfall.

           Yes!Isawit!Isawtheschoonertoppleover,slidedownfirstonitsleftside,crushoneofthemenwhodelayedtoolongaboutjumpingtooneside,thenboundfromblocktoblock,andfinallyflingitselfintospace.

           InanothermomenttheHalbrane,stavedin,brokenup,withgapingplanksandshatteredribs,hadsunk,causingatremendousjetofwatertospoutupatthefootoftheiceberg.

           Horrified!yes,indeed,wewerehorrifiedwhentheschooner,carriedoffasthoughbyanavalanche,haddisappearedintheabyss!NotaparticleofourHalbraneremained,notevenawreck!

           Aminuteagoshewasonehundredfeetintheair,nowshewasfivehundredinthedepthsofthesea!Yes,weweresostupefiedthatwewereunabletothinkofthedangerstocome—ouramazementwasthatofpeoplewho“cannotbelievetheireyes.”

           Prostrationsucceededasanaturalconsequence.Therewasnotawordspoken.

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