At length, being unable to continue longer under water without breathing, and yet not finding a convenient hole in the ice, it broke through, and reared up its head where the ice was not less than a foot thick. Having taken breath, the monster pushed forward, ploughing up the ice, and rolling it up in mighty furrows on either side, until at last it reached a kind of basin in the field, where it floated on the surface without any incumbrance. The harpoon was still in its back; but it was momently expected that it would become disengaged. What should be done? The creature was highly exasperated, and not materially injured. It was dangerous to approach to it; and yet the prize was too valuable to be lost. Added to this, the party had no other harpoon at hand. The only alternative left them was to abandon the pursuit, or to cut the harpoon from its back, and imbed it still deeper. This being made known to the party by the officers, a young man stepped forward and offered to hazard the attempt. It was a daring experiment――a hundred chances to one, he might fail, and be carried by the maddened monster under the ice. Several remonstrated, and attempted to dissuade him from the perilous enterprise. But he would hear to no remonstrance; and having pulled from his pocket a large jack-knife, opened it, and passing round to the edge where the whale lay, leaped upon its back, and in a few seconds liberated the harpoon. A fellow-seaman now ran to his assistance, and likewise leaped upon its back, held up the line, while the other, raising the harpoon, drove it deep into its flesh. Before they had finished, the monster was under way. But, straining every nerve, they leaped, and dashing through the water, seized hold of the ice, and once more obtained a firm footing. Smarting under his new wound, the whale plunged against the ice, which it continued to break for some distance, when, exhausted, it gave up the contest, and sunk to the bottom of the water. It was subsequently hauled up, and proved to be a whale of the largest class. The Life of Columbus. CHAPTER I. _Introduction――Early life――Commences a sea-faring life――Columbus goes to Lisbon――His views about undiscovered land in the west――He pursues measures to go on a voyage of discovery――He applies to the court of Spain._ Who has not heard the name of Christopher Columbus――the bold navigator, or sailor, who first discovered America? Yet few children in the United States, perhaps, have read the story of his life. It is full of interest. Columbus was a remarkable man――remarkable for his courage――for his enterprise――for carrying through whatever he attempted. Few ever made greater exertion――few ever passed through severer trials and dangers――few, by one single act of their lives, were ever more useful to the world.