With the wind about two points free, the yards braced in a
little, and two close-reefed topsails and a reefed foresail on the
ship, we made great way toward the southward and, almost every
watch, when we came on deck, the air seemed to grow colder, and the
sea to run higher. Still, we saw no ice, and had great hopes of
going clear of it altogether, when, one afternoon, about three
o'clock, while we were taking a siesta during our watch below, "All
hands!" was called in a loud and fearful voice. "Tumble up here,
men!- tumble up!- don't stop for your clothes- before we're upon it!"
We sprang out of our berths and hurried upon deck. The loud, sharp
voice of the captain was heard giving orders, as though for life or
death, and we ran aft to the braces, not waiting to look ahead, for
not a moment was to be lost. The helm was hard up, the after yards
shaking, and the ship in the act of wearing. Slowly, with stiff
ropes and iced rigging, we swung the yards round, everything coming
hard, and with a creaking and rending sound, like pulling up a plank
which had been frozen into the ice. The ship wore round fairly, the
yards were steadied, and we stood off on the other tack, leaving
behind us, directly under our larboard quarter, a large ice island,
peering out of the mist, and reaching high above our tops, while
astern; and on either side of the island, large tracts of field-ice
were dimly seen, heaving and rolling in the sea.
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