Jules Verne - The Voyages and Adventures of Captain Hatteras

“No,” answered Hatteras. “That would do no good. No balls, Wolston, but a triple charge of powder. Be quick!”

In a few moments the gun was loaded.

“What is he going to do without a ball?” muttered Shandon between his teeth.

“We'll soon see,” answered the doctor.

“We are all ready. Captain,” cried Wolston.

“Well,” answered Hatteras. “Brunton!” he shouted to the engineer, “make ready! Forward a little!”

Brunton opened the valves, and the screw began to move; the Forward drew near the blown-up iceberg.

“Aim carefully at the passage!” cried the captain to the gunner.

He obeyed; when the brig was only half a cable-length distant, Hatteras gave the order,—

“Fire!”

A loud report followed, and the fragments of ice, detached by the commotion of the air, fell suddenly into the sea. The simple concussion had been enough.

“Put on full steam, Brunton!” shouted Hatteras. “Straight for the passage, Johnson!”

Johnson was at the helm; the brig, driven by the screw, which tossed the water freely, entered easily the open passage. It was time. The Forward had hardly passed through the opening, before it closed behind it.

It was an exciting moment, and the only calm and collected man on board was the captain. So the crew, amazed at the success of this device, could not help shouting,—

“Hurrah for John Hatteras!”

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