"And now, Willy," he said, "as we have an abundance of fuel, we must get as much ice on board as the boats can carry. See!" he added, chopping off a lump with his hatchet; "it is perfectly sweet and free from salt. Just tell Shafto to send two more hands here; we shall soon have enough to quench the thirst of all the party." Willy ran to the boat, and quickly returned with two men, bringing axes and a large basket to transport the ice. They were working away on the side of the berg, and had already sent a good supply on board, when they felt it move in a strange manner. "Why, it seems as if an earthquake were taking place," said Willy. At that moment they heard Shafto shouting loudly to them. "Not a moment to be lost," cried the doctor. "On, boys, for your lives! Here, take my hand, Dicey, I'll not leave you behind." The huge ice-mountain became more and more agitated as they moved on. They reached the bows of the boat, and tumbled headlong in; and, at the same moment Paul Lizard, who had seized a boathook, shoved her off; the men got out their oars, and pulled her head round. "Now give way, lads, for your lives," cried Shafto. The water around them became violently agitated, and the huge ice-rock swayed to and fro. Shafto cast an anxious look behind him. Its tall summit seemed to be bending over. Where was the other boat? No one could tell. There was little time for thinking of their friends; their own probable fate absorbed all their attention. The men bent to their oars, looking up with horror in their eyes towards the mass which seemed about to come down and crush them. The ice on which they had lately stood disappeared. Large masses of frozen snow came hurtling down, falling with loud splashes into the water on either side of them. One such mass would have been sufficient to send their boat to the bottom; but only a few small fragments fell on board, and no one was hurt. Then came a cry of terror from many a usually stout heart. The summit of the ice-mountain bent over more and more. What chance had they of escaping from beneath it? Down, down it came with a terrific splash into the hitherto calm sea, throwing up the foaming waters, which dashed over them in dense showers, while the wave raised by the fall of the berg, as it rolled after the boat, seemed as if it were about to break on board and swamp her. The crew needed no urging to put forth all their strength. The boat's stern rose high as it passed under her, and then on she glided, away from the danger. They were saved! Narrow, indeed, was their escape. "But where is the cutter?" exclaimed Willy, looking around. She was not to be seen.