He even found a way to climb on to the berg itself, though in most places the field ice was chopped into small bits by some action on the part of the vast bulk, perhaps during a high wind and a heavy sea.

“All I want to be able to say is that I’ve been on a regular iceberg,” Jack announced, after he had once more returned to his mates; “but it’s frigid, let me tell you.  Why, there’s enough ice in that mountain to freeze all the cream made around New York in a whole season, and then some.”

He found that Tom was still busily engaged, with Beverly bending down in frequent consultation.

“Say, is it going to be anything serious, fellows?  Worse than we at first thought?”

Beverly looked up and gave him a reassuring smile.  He was now holding the little hand-torch and directing its ray so that Tom could get the full benefit.

“No reason to believe so, Jack,” he remarked quietly.  “Tom’s still of the opinion that we ought to have it all fixed up for keeps before an hour goes by, if things keep on working as we expect.”

“Fine!  You make me happy when you say that, Colin!” Jack returned.  “If only the berg doesn’t roll over before we get out of this, I’ll consider that we have much to be thankful for,” he added slowly.

“Could you feel any motion when you stood on that lower shelf of the berg?” asked Beverly, showing that he had watched what Jack was doing.

“I should say I could,” the other assured him.  “It nearly made me sea-sick.  I’d hate to have to stay here very much longer.  If you watch a cloud passing you can see just how the peak dips, and swings back and forth.  It’s getting ready to tumble, and before long!”

Tom worked on.

He too realized that the longer they were compelled to stay on the ice field the greater their danger must become.  If that towering berg ever did turn over bottom-up it would smash the floe into fragments and churn up the adjacent waters in a way that would leave no avenue of escape for the trio of adventurous air pilots who had alighted there by reason of circumstances beyond their control.

His hands felt cold, and he was compelled at times to get up and thrash both arms about to induce circulation in his extremities.  Beverly and Jack both offered to take his place, but Tom, having started the job, thought he had better finish it if possible.

“Everything seems to be working along as good as pie,” Beverly reported, in order to add to Jack’s peace of mind, for he knew the other must be growing a bit anxious again.  Delay meant so much to Jack in this endeavor to beat the steamship across the Atlantic.

“If you’ve no objections, I’ll rustle after that grub bag, and indulge in something to help get rid of this empty feeling I’ve got.  We’ll all feel better for something to eat,” said Jack.  “I think Tom could work faster if he would take time now for a sandwich.”

“You’re right, perhaps, Jack,” returned Colin.  “Although we had better wait for a full meal till we get in the air.”