We were not so fortunate, however, with the loftier spars; for scarcely was the vessel beneath the arch, when she lifted on a swell, and her main-top-gallant-mast snapped off in the cap.

The ice groaned and cracked over our heads, and large fragments fell both ahead and astern of us, several of them even tumbling upon our decks.

One large piece came down within an inch of the extremity of Dr.Reasono's tail, just escaping the dire calamity of knocking out the brains of that profound and philo-monikin philosopher.

In another instant the ship was through the pass, which completely closed, with the crash of an earthquake, as soon as possible afterwards.
Still driven by the gale, we ran rapidly towards the south, along a channel less than a quarter of a mile in width, the bergs evidently closing on each side of us, and the ship, as if conscious of her jeopardy, doing her utmost, with Captain Poke still at the wheel.

In a little more than an hour, the worst was over--the Walrus issuing into an open basin of several leagues in extent, which was, however, completely encircled by the frozen mountains.