Finding that the propeller would now work, Captain Williamson gave orders for full speed astern. As soon as the engines started there was more crashing of ice, the small stuff being ground down under the ship, and the ice of the pinnacle breaking off along the shrouds. Everybody on deck had to get out of the way, for the deck took on the appearance of "an ice-house upset," as Chet put it, big chunks of the frozen material lying in all directions. "Hurrah! we are leaving the big iceberg behind!" cried Andy, a few minutes later, and his words proved true. "I can see clear water ahead!" called out Professor Jeffer, shortly afterwards, and then he turned, to get the photographs he wanted of the big iceberg. The report concerning open water was correct, and, having left the vicinity of the big iceberg, Captain Williamson had the steamer steered in something of a big circle. Thus they avoided all but the small ice. The latter, however, thumped and bumped on the bow and sides as strongly as ever, and once there came a shock that threw everybody on the deck headlong. "I hope that doesn't damage us any," observed Andy, when this new scare was over. "It may start some of the seams," answered Barwell Dawson, "although the vessel was reënforced to withstand just such knocks." Inside of an hour the _Ice King_ had passed all the big icebergs and a large portion of the floating cakes. Clear blue water was ahead, for which all on board were thankful. "I didn't expect this, so far south," said Captain Williamson, after making a tour of the ship, and having had the deck cleaned up. "It is unusual." "I know it," answered Barwell Dawson. "I am thankful we didn't run into the big iceberg at night." "Yes, darkness would have made the situation much worse." "Have we started any of the ship's seams?" asked Dr. Slade. "Not as far as I have been able to discover." The boys went to the forecastle to see what damage had been done there, and found the ship's carpenter putting in some new lights of glass. One sailor had received a black eye from a chunk of falling ice, but otherwise little bodily harm had resulted. "Well, I call that a narrow escape," said Andy, after the excitement was over. "So do I," responded Chet. "I don't want another such experience." "You will have to go through harder things than that up north," said Barwell Dawson, who overheard the talk. "We'll be prepared then," answered Andy. "This wasn't expected." "I am afraid you boys don't realize what you are up against," went on the hunter and explorer. "We are going to face many perils in the polar regions. If you feel you don't want to go further, you can leave us when we get to Upernivik." "No! no! we want to see this thing through, perils or no perils," cried Andy, hastily. "Indeed we do!" added Chet. "I guess you'll find we can stand as much as anybody after we get used to it."