Indeed this might well be a source of worry.  One glance served to show that the airship was frozen fast in the ice, while the gas bag, which had collapsed, and was resting on top of the deck-house, was partially covered with snow!

As weak as they were the boys set up a cheer and the men joined in, the sound echoing for a long distance around.

CHAPTER XXVIII

ATTACKED BY THE NATIVES

“We must clear away the snow and ice!” said Professor Henderson.  “Come, boys, we must work quickly.  We have no time to lose!  Remember what Dirola said about the natives following us!”

Now that he was back at his craft the inventor seemed to have recovered all of his energies.

“Washington and I will see to the machinery, and get the bag inflated,” he continued.  “The rest begin to dig out the ship from below.”

Fortunately the professor had foreseen the need of shovels on his northern journey and had a supply in the ship.  They were quickly brought out.  The snow was soon cleared from the silk bag, it being rather light.  Then, while the professor and the negro went to the engine room to start the various apparatus, the others began chipping away the ice that held the main body of the Monarch in a tight grip.

Inside the airship matters were in bad shape.  The intense cold had contracted all the metal and made it very brittle.  Care had to be exercised in handling every piece of apparatus.  There was no heat in the ship, and it was almost as cold as outside.

However, the gas generating machine was set in operation by a current from the storage battery.  Some of the gas was turned into the heating stoves, which were constructed to burn it, and this made heat which soon enabled the professor to work on the motors and dynamos.  In a little while the gas began filling the bag, which slowly distended.

“Hurrah!” yelled Jack, seeing that the Monarch was beginning to look like herself again.  He and the others were working hard at the ice, which did not seem to want to let the ship go.

The inventor went about testing each separate piece of apparatus.  He found that, with a little tinkering, all the machinery would work well.  Meanwhile the gas continued to fill the bag, until it was tugging at the net and cords that fastened it to the airship.  But all the lifting power that could be produced from the machine would not elevate the Monarch while it was held fast in the ice.

However, the forces attacking the frozen crystals worked to good advantage.  In the midst of their labors Washington brought out some hot coffee, which was received with cheers.  It was the first white man’s food, except the patent capsules, they had tasted since leaving the ship.

At last, after several hours’ hard digging, the body of the ship was all but free.  A few more blows would sever the last connecting grapple of ice.