Less than half-way across the bay, which was some twelve miles wide, a crack in the ice was passed over.  Presently cracks became numerous, and glancing behind him Bob noticed a wide black space along the shore at the point where they had taken to the ice, and could see in the distance farther to the northwest, as it reflected the light, a white streak of foam where the angry sea was assailing the ice barrier.  He realized at once that the wind and sea were smashing the ice.

They were far from land and in grave peril.  The Eskimos urged the dogs to renewed efforts, and the poor brutes themselves, seeming to realize the danger, pulled desperately at the traces.

After a time the ice beneath them began to undulate, moving up and down in waves and giving an uncertain footing.  Between them and the cove they were heading for, but a little outside of their course, was a bare, rocky island and the Eskimos suddenly turned the dogs towards it.  The whole body of ice was now separated from the mainland and this island was the only visible refuge open to them.  Behind them the sea was booming and thundering in a terrifying manner as it drove gigantic ice blocks like mighty battering rams against the main mass, which crumbled steadily away before the onslaught.

It had become a race for life now, and it was a question whether the sea or the men would win.  Once a crack was reached that they could not cross and they had to make a considerable detour to find a passage around it, and it looked for a little while as though this sealed their fate, but with a desperate effort they presently found themselves within a few yards of the island.

Here a new danger awaited them.  The ice upon the shore was rising and falling and crumbling against the rocks with each incoming and receding sea.  To successfully land it would be necessary to make a dash at the very instant that the ice came in contact with the shore.  A moment too soon or a moment too late and they would inevitably be crushed to death.  It was their only way of escape, however.  The howling dogs were held in leash until the proper moment, and all prepared for the run.

Akonuk gave the word.  The dogs leaped forward, the men jumped, and they found themselves ashore.  The three grabbed the traces and helped the dogs jerk the komatik clear of the next sea, and all were at last safe.

Five minutes later a landing would have been impossible, and two hours later the entire bay surrounding their island was swept clear of ice by the gale and outgoing tide.

During the whole adventure the Eskimos had conducted themselves with the utmost coolness and gave Bob confidence and courage.  Dangers of this kind had no terrors for them for they had met them all their lives.

They had landed upon the windward side of the island at a point where they were exposed to the full sweep of the gale.

“Peungeatuk”—­very bad—­said Akonuk.