Крижаний сфінкс
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.
