Page 443 of 483

But now, when I appeared almost within grasp of my foe, my hopes

were suddenly extinguished, and I lost all trace of him more

utterly than I had ever done before. A ground sea was heard; the

thunder of its progress, as the waters rolled and swelled beneath

me, became every moment more ominous and terrific. I pressed on,

but in vain. The wind arose; the sea roared; and, as with the

mighty shock of an earthquake, it split and cracked with a

tremendous and overwhelming sound. The work was soon finished; in

a few minutes a tumultuous sea rolled between me and my enemy,

and I was left drifting on a scattered piece of ice that was

continually lessening and thus preparing for me a hideous death.