It was a tremendous risk to run--one which would never have been thought of in cold blood, as the ship was rushing forward at full speed, and there was no knowing what might happen; but the sympathies of the party were now so fully aroused by the awful peril of the barque--which, in the midst of all her danger, was still gaily dressed in flags--that they never paused to think of the possible consequences, but sent the ship at the barrier as a huntsman sends his horse to a desperate leap. For an infinitesimal fraction of time the four adventurous travellers were thrilled with a feeling of wild exultation as they held their breath and braced themselves for the expected shock. Then the smooth polished hull of the _Flying Fish_ met the ice, and, rising like a hunter to the leap, slid smoothly, and without the slightest jar, up on to the surface of the floe, across the narrow barrier, and into the water beyond. "Stop her!" shouted Mildmay, checking the exultant cheer which rose to the lips of his companions. "Sheer as close alongside the barque as you can go, Sir Reginald, and give me a chance to get our heaving line on board. Then, as soon as I wave my hand, go ahead gently until you have brought a strain upon the hawser, when you may increase the speed to about twelve knots--not more, or you will tear the windlass out of the barque. Steer straight out between those two bergs, and remember that _moments_ are now precious." With these words the lieutenant hurried out on deck and made his way aft, where he at once began to clear away the heaving line and make ready for a cast. The engines meanwhile had been stopped in obedience to Mildmay's command, his companions intuitively recognising that he was the man to cope with the present emergency, and the _Flying Fish_ answering the helm, which the baronet, an experienced yachtsman, was deftly manipulating, shot cleverly up along the weather side of the barque. "Look out for our line, lads!" hailed Mildmay to the crew of the vessel, who were gaping in open-mouthed astonishment at the extraordinary apparition which had thus abruptly put in an appearance alongside them. "Ay, ay, sir; heave!" answered one smart fellow, who, notwithstanding his surprise, still seemed to have his wits about him. Mildmay hove the line with all a seaman's skill, and a couple of bights settled down round the neck and shoulders of the expectant tar. "Haul in, and throw the eye of the hawser over your windlass bitts," ordered Mildmay; "we will soon have you clear of your present pickle." "Thank you, sir," hailed the skipper; "haul in smart there, for'ard, and take a turn _anywhere_; those bergs are driving down upon us mighty fast."