Suddenly, as the party sped on, there came a loud explosion.  It was like a great cannon being fired.

“What was that?” exclaimed Andy, starting in alarm.

With a cry of fear the dog driver pointed behind him.

Looking over their shoulders, the escaping ones saw a great crack in the ice field.  In it showed the black waters of the ocean.  Ahead appeared an ever-widening black line, and on either side it was the same.

A large part of the ice field had become detached and was floating out to sea.  Though they did not know it, the adventurers had driven over the water and away from the land.

“We are adrift on the ice!” cried Andy.  “We only escaped from one danger to fall into another!”

CHAPTER XXVI

FIGHTING WILD DOGS

For a moment the realization of their horrible position struck all dumb.  Adrift on the great polar sea, they might freeze to death before they again got near to the main land.  The dogs continued to run on, approaching nearer the ever-widening crack in front.  The driver seemed to suddenly awaken to the danger.

With a series of sharp commands he brought the team to a halt.  Then, signing to the adventurers to get off the sled, he turned it over on the side.

Next he unhitched the dogs, and fastened them by their thongs to his whip handle, which he stuck in a crack in the ice.  The beasts were thus secured at some distance from the sled.

This done, the Esquimaux took the fur robes that had been on the sleigh, and, spreading them over the frame of the vehicle, made a low but fairly large and comfortable tent.  He motioned for the men and boys to crawl inside, which they were glad enough to do, to escape the bitter wind.  Then the native sat down in the low doorway of the shelter and seemed willing to wait for whatever turned up.

“It doesn’t seem to worry him much,” observed Andy.

“He certainly has made us comfortable,” said Jack.  “I wonder what we are going to do?”

“Wait and see what turns up,” advised the professor.  “We are on a large ice floe.  It may float for many days, and, after a while, strike the main ice again.  When it does we will escape.”

“Yes, an’ what am we goin’ to eat in dat time?” demanded Washington.

With a triumphant gesture Jack pulled from his pocket a tin can.  It contained the patent condensed food capsules.

“Hurrah!” cried the professor on seeing it.  “This will keep us from starving for many days!”

“Lucky I didn’t lose this after all I’ve been through,” said Jack.

The meagre rations were distributed, the Esquimaux driver coming in for his share.  The patent food, though a small quantity sufficed for a meal, was fairly satisfying, and soon all felt better.  It was quite warm under the little tent, and the adventurers stretched out for a rest.