Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XII. Between the Polar Circle and the Ice Wall
Althoughnotabreathreachedus,andthesurfaceoftheoceanwasunruffled,theschoonerwasrockedfromsidetosidebythelongoscillationsoftheswellcomingfromthewest.
“Theseafeelssomething,”saidCaptainLenGuytome,“andtheremustberoughweatheronthatside,”headded,pointingwestward.
“Thehorizonismisty,”Ireplied;“butperhapsthesuntowardsnoon—”
“Thesunhasnostrengthinthislatitude,Mr.Jeorling,noteveninsummer.Jem!”
Westcameuptous.
“Whatdoyouthinkofthesky?”
“Idonotthinkwellofit.Wemustbereadyforanythingandeverything,captain.”
“Hasnotthelook-outgivenwarningofthefirstdriftingice?”Iasked.
“Yes,”repliedCaptainLenGuy,“andifwegetneartheicebergsthedamagewillnotbetothem.Therefore,ifprudencedemandsthatweshouldgoeithertotheeastortothewest,weshallresignourselves,butonlyincaseofabsolutenecessity.”
Thewatchhadmadenomistake.Intheafternoonwesightedmasses,isletstheymightbecalled,ofice,driftingslowlysouthward,butthesewerenotyetofconsiderableextentoraltitude.Thesepackswereeasytoavoid;theycouldnotinterferewiththesailingoftheHalbrane.But,althoughthewindhadhithertopermittedhertokeeponhercourse,shewasnotadvancing,anditwasexceedinglydisagreeabletoberollingaboutinaroughandhollowseawhichstruckourship’ssidesmostunpleasantly.
